Capacitor with multiple elements for multiple replacement applications

ABSTRACT

A capacitor provides a plurality of selectable capacitance values, by selective connection of six capacitor sections of a capacitive element each having a capacitance value. The capacitor sections are provided in a plurality of wound cylindrical capacitive elements. Two vertically stacked wound cylindrical capacitance elements may each provide three capacitor sections. There may be six separately wound cylindrical capacitive elements each providing a capacitor section. The capacitor sections have a common element terminal.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/742,557, filed Jan. 14, 2020,which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/973,876, filed May 8, 2018, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,183,338, which claims the benefit of priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/505,483,filed on May 12, 2017. U.S. application Ser. No. 15/973,976 also claimsthe benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/792,187, filed on Jan. 14, 2019, the entirety ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein relates to a capacitor with multiple capacitorvalues selectively connectable to match the capacitance or capacitancesof one or more capacitors being replaced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One common use for capacitors is in connection with the motors ofair-conditioning systems. The systems often employ two capacitors, oneused in association with a compressor motor and another smaller valuecapacitor for use in association with a fan motor. Air-conditioningsystems of different BTU capacity, made by different manufacturers orbeing a different model all may use capacitors having different values.These capacitors have a finite life and sometimes fail, causing thesystem to become inoperative.

A serviceman making a service call usually will not know in advancewhether a replacement capacitor is necessary to repair anair-conditioning system, or what value capacitor or capacitors might beneeded to make the repair. One option is for the serviceman to carry alarge number of capacitors of different values in the service truck, butit is difficult and expensive to maintain such an inventory, especiallybecause there can be a random need for several capacitors of the samevalue on the same day. The other option is for the serviceman to returnto the shop or visit a supplier to pick up a replacement capacitor ofthe required value. This is inefficient as the travel time to pick upparts greatly extends the overall time necessary to complete a repair.This is extremely detrimental if there is a backlog of inoperativeair-conditioning systems on a hot day. This problem presents itself inconnection with air-conditioning systems, but is also found in anysituation where capacitors are used in association with motors and arereplaced on service calls. Other typical examples are refrigeration andheating systems, pumps, and manufacturing systems utilizing compressors.

A desirable replacement capacitor would have the electrical and physicalcharacteristics of the failed capacitor, i.e. it should provide the samecapacitance value or values at the same or higher voltage rating, beconnectable using the same leads and be mountable on the same bracketsor other mounting provision. It should also have the same safetyprotection, as confirmed by independent tests performed by UnderwriterLaboratories or others. Efforts have been made to provide such acapacitor in the past, but they have not resulted in a commerciallyacceptable capacitor adapted for replacing capacitors having a widerange of capacitance values.

My U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,921,041 and 4,028,595 disclose dual capacitorelements in the form of two concentric wound capacitor sections. My U.S.Pat. No. 4,263,638 also shows dual capacitors sections formed in a woundcapacitive element, and my U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,145 shows a woundcapacitor with dual elements, but suggests that multiple concentriccapacitive elements may be provided, as does my U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,312,027and 5,313,360. None of these patents show a capacitor having electricaland physical characteristics necessary to replace any one of the varietyof failed capacitors that might be encountered on a service call.

An effort to provide a capacitor with multiple, selectable capacitancevalues is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,394. Three capacitancesections are provided in a wound capacitor element that is encapsulatedin a plastic insulating material. An external terminal lug is connectedwith one of capacitor's sections and a second external terminal lug isprovided with a common connection to all three capacitor sections.Pre-wired fixed jumper leads each connect the three capacitive sectionsin parallel, and the pre-wired fixed jumper leads have a portion exposedabove the plastic encapsulation. This permits one or two jumper leads tobe severed to remove one or two of the capacitor sections from theparallel configuration, and thereby to adjust the effective capacitancevalue across the terminal lugs. The '394 patent suggests that furthercombinations could be made with different connections, but does notprovide any suitable means for doing so.

Another attempt to provide a capacitor wherein the capacitance may beselected on a service call is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,519.This capacitor has two capacitor sections connected in parallel, and hastwo external terminals for connecting the capacitor into a circuit. Oneof the terminals is rotatable, and one of the capacitor sections isconnected to the rotatable terminal by a wire which may be broken byrotation of the terminal. This provides for selectively removing thatcapacitor section and thereby reducing the capacitance of the unit tothe value of the remaining capacitor. This capacitor provides a choiceof only two capacitance values in a fluid-filled case with a coverincorporating a pressure interrupter system.

In another effort to provide a universal adjustable capacitor for ACapplications, American Radionic Co., Inc. produced a capacitor havingfive concentric capacitor sections in a cylindrical wound capacitorelement. A common lead was provided from one end of the capacitorsections, and individual wire leads were provided from the other ends ofthe respective capacitor sections. The wound capacitor element wasencapsulated in a plastic insulating material with the wire leadsextending outwardly from the encapsulating material. Blade connectorswere mounted at the ends of the wire leads, and sliding rubber bootswere provided to expose the terminals for making connections and forshielding the terminals after connections were made. Various capacitancevalues could be selected by connecting various ones of the capacitorsections in parallel relationship, in series relationship, or incombinations of parallel and series relationships. In a later version,blade terminals were mounted on the encapsulating material. Thesecapacitors did not meet the needs of servicemen. The connections weredifficult to accomplish and the encapsulated structure did not providepressure interrupter protection in case of capacitor failure, whereinthe capacitors did not meet industry safety standards and did notachieve commercial acceptance or success.

Thus, although the desirability of providing a serviceman with acapacitor that is adapted to replace failed capacitors of a variety ofvalues has been recognized for a considerable period of time, acapacitor that meets the serviceman's needs in this regard has notheretofore been achieved. This is a continuing need and a solution wouldbe a considerable advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the invention herein to provide a capacitorthat is connectable with selectable capacitance values.

It is another object of the invention herein to provide a capacitorincorporating multiple capacitance values that may be connected in thefield to replace the capacitance value or values of a failed capacitor.

It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a capacitorhaving the objectives set forth above and which operates to disconnectitself from an electrical circuit upon a pressure-event failure.

It is also an object of the invention herein to incorporate multiplecapacitance values in a single replacement capacitor that is adapted forconnecting selected ones of the multiple capacitance values into acircuit.

Yet another object of the invention herein to provide a capacitor havingone or more of the foregoing objectives and which provides for safelymaking and maintaining connections thereto.

It is a further object of the invention herein to increase theflexibility of replacing failed capacitors with capacitors incorporatingmultiple capacitance values by utilizing a range of tolerances inselecting the multiple capacitance values provided.

It is another principal object of the invention herein to provide acapacitor for replacing any one of a plurality of failed capacitorshaving different capacitance values and to meet or exceed the ratingsand safety features of the failed capacitor.

In carrying out the invention herein, a replacement capacitor isprovided having a plurality of selectable capacitance values. Acapacitive element has a plurality of capacitor sections, each having acapacitance value. Each capacitor section has a section terminal and thecapacitor sections are connected at a capacitive element commonterminal. The capacitive element is received in a case together with aninsulating fluid at least partially and preferably substantiallysurrounding the capacitive element. The case is provided with a pressureinterrupter cover assembly, including a cover having a common coverterminal and a plurality of section cover terminals thereon. The sectionterminals of the capacitive element are respectively connected to thesection cover terminals and the common terminal of the capacitiveelement is connected to the common cover terminal, with the pressureinterrupter cover assembly adapted to break one or more connections asrequired to disconnect the capacitive element from an electrical circuitin the event that the capacitive element has a catastrophicpressure-event failure. The replacement capacitor is connected into anelectrical circuit to replace a failed capacitor by connections toselected ones of the common cover terminal and section cover terminals,the capacitor sections and connections being selected to provide one ormore capacitance values corresponding to the capacitor being replaced.Such connections may include connecting capacitor sections in parallel,connecting capacitor sections in series, connecting capacitor sectionsin combinations of parallel and series, and connecting one or morecapacitor sections separately to provide two or more independentcapacitance values.

In one preferred aspect of the invention, the capacitive element is awound cylindrical capacitive element having a plurality of concentricwound capacitor sections, each having a capacitance value. The number ofcapacitor sections is preferably six, but may be four or five, or may begreater than six. The capacitor section with the largest capacitancevalue is one of the outer three sections of the capacitive element. Thecapacitor sections are separated by insulation barriers and a metallicspray is applied to the ends of the capacitor sections. The insulationbarriers withstand heat associated with connecting wire conductors tothe capacitor sections.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the capacitive element istwo or more wound cylindrical capacitive elements. There may be onewound cylindrical capacitive element for each capacitor section andcapacitance value, and there may be four, five or six such woundcylindrical capacitive elements. Further, at least one of the two ormore wound cylindrical capacitive elements may provide two or morecapacitor sections. In a specific aspect, there are two woundcylindrical capacitive elements each providing three capacitor sections.The capacitor sections, however provided, are connected at a commonterminal.

The case is preferably cylindrical, having a cylindrical side wall, abottom wall and an open top, to accommodate the one wound cylindricalcapacitive element or to accommodate the plurality of wound capacitiveelements providing the capacitor sections.

Also, according to preferred aspects of the invention, the pressureinterrupter cover assembly includes a deformable circular cover having aperipheral edge sealingly secured to the upper end of the case. Thecommon cover terminal and section cover terminals are mounted to thecover at spaced apart locations thereon, and have terminal postsextending downwardly from the cover to a distal end. A rigid disconnectplate is supported under the cover and defines openings therethroughaccommodating the terminal posts and exposing the distal ends thereof.Conductors connect the capacitor section terminals and the commonelement terminal to the distal ends of the respective terminal posts ofthe section cover terminals and common cover terminal. The conductorconnections at the distal ends of the terminal posts are broken uponoutward deformation of the cover. In more specific aspects, theconductors connecting the capacitor sections to the distal ends of thesection cover terminal posts are insulated wires, with the ends solderedto foil tabs that are welded or soldered to the distal ends of theterminal posts adjacent the disconnect plate.

Also, according to aspects of the invention herein, the common coverterminal is positioned generally centrally on the cover, and the sectioncover terminals are positioned at spaced apart locations surrounding thecommon cover terminal. The section cover terminals include at least oneblade connector, and preferably two or more blade connectors extendingoutwardly from the cover for receiving mating connectors for connectingselected ones of the capacitor sections into an electrical circuit. Thecommon cover terminal preferably has four blade connectors.

Additional aspects of the invention include providing insulators for thesection and common cover terminals, the insulators including cylindricalcups upstanding from the cover, with the cylindrical cup of at least thecommon cover terminal extending to or above the blades thereof.According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the insulators includea cover insulation barrier having a barrier cup upstanding from thecover and substantially surrounding a central common cover terminal andfurther having barrier fins radially extending from the barrier cup anddeployed between adjacent section cover terminals.

The invention herein is carried out by connecting one or more capacitorsections into an electrical circuit, by attaching leads to the coverterminals. This includes connecting capacitor sections in parallel,connecting capacitor sections in series, connecting individual capacitorsections, or connecting capacitor sections in combinations of paralleland series, as required to match the capacitance value or values of thefailed capacitor being replaced. The capacitor sections can be connectedto replace multiple capacitor values, as required, to substitute thecapacitor for the capacitor that has failed.

In another aspect of the invention, the capacitance values of thecapacitor sections are varied within a tolerance range from a statedvalue, such that one capacitor section may be utilized effectively toreplace one of two values, either individually or in combinations ofcapacitor sections.

Other and more specific objects and features of the invention hereinwill, in part, be understood by those skilled in the art and will, inpart, appear in the following description of the preferred embodiments,and claims, taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capacitor according to the inventionherein;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 , taken along thelines 3-3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the capacitive element of thecapacitor of FIG. 1 , including wire conductors connected to thecapacitor sections thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the capacitive element of the capacitor of FIG.1 , including wire conductors connected to capacitor sections thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a distal end of a wireconductor of FIGS. 4 and 5 , connected to a foil tab;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a distal end of a wireconductor of FIGS. 4 and 5 , connected to a foil tab;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 taken along thelines 8-8 of FIG. 3 , and showing a pressure interrupter cover assemblyof the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure interrupter coverassembly of the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pressure interruptercover assembly of the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 , shown with selectedcapacitor sections connected to a fan motor and a compressor motor;

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of the capacitor of FIG. 1connected as shown in FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 with jumper wiresconnecting selected capacitor sections in parallel, and also shownconnected in an electrical circuit to a fan motor and a compressormotor;

FIG. 14 is a schematic circuit diagram of the capacitor of FIG. 1connected as shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 connecting selectedcapacitor sections in series, and also shown connected in an electricalcircuit to a motor;

FIG. 16 is a schematic circuit diagram of the capacitor of FIG. 1 asconnected shown in FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 with a jumper wireconnecting selected capacitor sections in series, and also shownconnected in an electrical circuit to a compressor motor;

FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram of the capacitor of FIG. 1connected as shown in FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 is a chart showing the single value capacitance values that maybe provided by the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 20 is a chart showing dual value capacitances that may be providedby the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 21 is another chart showing dual value capacitances that may beprovided by the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 22 is another chart showing dual value capacitances that may beprovided by the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 23 is another chart showing dual value capacitances that may beprovided by the capacitor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the capacitor of FIG. 1 , taken generallyalong the lines 24-24 of FIG. 2 , but showing the capacitor afterfailure of the capacitive element;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a capacitor according to the inventionherein;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of the capacitive element of thecapacitor of FIG. 25 , including conductors connected to the capacitorsections thereof;

FIG. 27 is a folded top and bottom view of the capacitive element of thecapacitor of FIG. 26 including conductors connected to capacitorsections thereof;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a capacitor according to the inventionherein;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the capacitive element of the capacitorof FIG. 28 , including some of the conductors connected to the capacitorsections thereof; and

FIG. 30 is a top view of the capacitive element of the capacitor of FIG.28 , including conductors connected to capacitor sections thereof;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of an example of a capacitor and a magnet.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of an example of a capacitor and a magnet.

FIGS. 33A-C show an example of a capacitor and a magnet configured to bemounted to a case of the capacitor.

FIGS. 34A-C show another example of a capacitor and a magnet configuredto be mounted to a case of the capacitor.

FIG. 35 shows an example of a magnet configured to be mounted to a caseof a capacitor. The same reference numerals refer to the same elementsthroughout the various Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A capacitor 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 , as well as in other Figures to bedescribed below. The capacitor 10 is adapted to replace any one of alarge number of capacitors. Therefore, a serviceman may carry acapacitor 10 on a service call and, upon encountering a failedcapacitor, the serviceman can utilize the capacitor 10 to replace thefailed capacitor with the capacitor 10 being connected to provide thesame capacitance value or values of the failed capacitor.

The capacitor 10 has a capacitive element 12 having a plurality ofcapacitor sections, each having a capacitance value. The capacitiveelement 12 is also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . In the preferred embodimentdescribed herein, the capacitive element 12 has six capacitor sections20-25. The capacitive element 12 is a wound cylindrical elementmanufactured by extension of the techniques described in my prior U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,921,041, 4,028,595, 4,352,145 and 5,313,360, incorporatedherein by reference. Those patents relate to capacitive elements havingtwo capacitor sections rather than a larger plurality of capacitorsections, such as the six capacitor sections 20-25 of the capacitiveelement 12. Accordingly, the capacitive element 12 has a central spoolor mandrel 28, which has a central opening 29. First and seconddielectric films, each having a metalized layer on one side thereof, arewound in cylindrical form on the mandrel 28 with the non-metalized sideof one film being in contact with the metalized side of the other.Selected portions of one or both of the metalized layers are removed inorder to provide a multiple section capacitive element. Elementinsulation barriers are inserted into the winding to separate thecapacitor sections, the element insulation barriers also assuming acylindrical configuration. Five element insulation barriers 30-34 areprovided to separate the six capacitor sections 20-25, with elementinsulation barrier 30 separating capacitor sections 20 and 21, elementinsulation barrier 31 separating capacitor sections 21 and 22, elementinsulation barrier 32 separating capacitor sections 22 and 23, elementinsulation barrier 33 separating capacitor sections 23 and 24, andelement insulation barrier 34 separating capacitor sections 24 and 25.

The element insulation barriers are insulating polymer sheet material,which in the capacitive element 12 is polypropylene having a thicknessof 0.005 inches, wound into the capacitive element 12. Thickness of0.0025 to 0.007 may be used. Other materials may also be used. Thebarriers each have about 2¾-4 wraps of the polypropylene sheet material,wherein the element insulation barriers have a thickness of about 0.013to 0.020 inches. The barriers 30-34 are thicker than used before incapacitors with fewer capacitor sections. The important characteristicof the barriers 30-34 is that they are able to withstand heat fromadjacent soldering without losing integrity of electrical insulation,such that adjacent sections can become bridged.

As is known in the art, the metalized films each have one unmetalizedmarginal edge, such that the metalized marginal edge of one film isexposed at one end of the wound capacitive element 12 and the metalizedmarginal edge of the other film is exposed at the other end of thecapacitive element 12. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 , at the lowerend of the capacitance element 12, the barriers 30-34 do not extend fromthe film, and an element common terminal 36 is established contactingthe exposed metalized marginal edges of one metalized film of all thecapacitor sections 20-25. The element common terminal 36 is preferably azinc spray applied onto the end of the capacitive element 12.

At the top end of the capacitive element 12 as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5, the element insulation barriers 30-34 extend above the wound metalizedfilm. An individual capacitor element section terminal is provided foreach of the capacitive sections 20-25, also by applying a zinc or othermetallic spray onto the end of the capacitive element 12 with the zincbeing deployed on each of the capacitor sections 20-25 between andadjacent the element insulation barriers 30-34. The element sectionterminals are identified by numerals 40-45. Element section terminal 40of capacitor section 20 extends from the outer-most element insulationbarrier 30 to the outer surface of the capacitive element 12, and theelement section terminal 45 of capacitor section 25 extends from theinner-most element insulation barrier 34 to the central mandrel 28.Element section terminals 41-44 are respectively deployed on thecapacitor sections 21-24.

Conductors preferably in the form of six insulated wires 50-55 each haveone of their ends respectively soldered to the element section terminals40-45, as best seen in FIG. 5 . The thickness of the polypropylenebarriers 30-34 resists any burn-through as a result of the soldering toconnect wires 50-55 to the terminals 40-45.

The insulation of the wires 50-55 is color coded to facilitateidentifying which wire is connected to which capacitor section. Wire 50connected to element section terminal 40 of capacitor section 20 hasblue insulation, wire 51 connected to element section terminal 41 ofcapacitor section 21 has yellow insulation, wire 52 connected to elementsection terminal 42 of capacitor section 22 has red insulation, wire 53connected to element section terminal 43 of capacitor section 23 haswhite insulation, wire 54 connection to element section terminal 44 ofcapacitor section 24 has white insulation, and wire 55 connected toelement section terminal 45 of capacitor section 25 has greeninsulation. These colors are indicated on FIG. 4 .

The capacitive element 12 is further provided with foil strip conductor38, having one end attached to the element common terminal 36 at 37. Thefoil strip conductor 38 is coated with insulation, except for the pointof attachment 37 and the distal end 39 thereof. The conductor 50connected to the outer capacitor element section 20 and its terminal 30may also be a foil strip conductor. If desired, foil or wire conductorsmay be utilized for all connections.

In the capacitive element 12 used in the capacitor 10, the capacitorsection 20 has a value of 25.0 microfarads and the capacitor section 21has a capacitance of 20.0 microfarads. The capacitor section 22 has acapacitance of 10.0 microfarads. The capacitor section 23 has acapacitance of 5.5 microfarads, but is identified as having acapacitance of 5.0 microfarads for purposes further discussed below. Thecapacitor section 24 has a capacitance of 4.5 microfarads but is labeledas having a capacitance of 5 microfarads, again for purposes describedbelow. The capacitor section 25 has a capacitance of 2.8 microfarads.The capacitor section 20 with the largest capacitance value also has themost metallic film, and is therefore advantageously located as the outersection or at least one of the three outer sections of the capacitiveelement 12.

The capacitor 10 also has a case 60, best seen in FIGS. 1-3 , having acylindrical side wall 62, a bottom wall 64, and an open top 66 of sidewall 62. The case 60 is formed of aluminum and the cylindrical side wall62 has an outside diameter of 2.50 inches. This is a very commondiameter for capacitors of this type, wherein the capacitor 10 will bereadily received in the mounting space and with the mounting hardwareprovided for the capacitor being replaced. Other diameters may, however,be used, and the case may also be plastic or of other suitable material.

The capacitive element 12 with the wires 50-55 and the foil strip 38 arereceived in the case 60 with the element common terminal 36 adjacent thebottom wall 64 of the case. An insulating bottom cup 70 is preferablyprovided for insulating the capacitive element 12 from the bottom wall64, the bottom cup 70 having a center post 72 that is received in thecenter opening 29 of the mandrel 28, and an up-turned skirt 74 thatembraces the lower side wall of the cylindrical capacitive element 12and spaces it from the side wall 62 of the case 60.

An insulating fluid 76 is provided within the case 60, at least partlyand preferably substantially surrounding the capacitive element 12. Thefluid 76 may be the fluid described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,308,incorporated herein by reference, or one of the other insulating fluidsused in the trade, such as polybutene.

The capacitor 10 also has a pressure interrupter cover assembly 80 bestseen in FIGS. 1-3, 8-10 and 24 . The cover assembly 80 includes adeformable circular cover 82 having an upstanding cylindrical skirt 84and a peripheral rim 86 as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 . The skirt 84fits into the open top 66 cylindrical side wall 62 of case 60, and theperipheral rim 86 is crimped to the open top 66 of the case 60 to sealthe interior of the capacitor 10 and the fluid 76 contained therein, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3 .

The pressure interrupter cover assembly 80 includes seven coverterminals mounted on the deformable cover 82. A common cover terminal 88is mounted generally centrally on the cover 82, and section coverterminals 90-95, each respectively corresponding to one of the capacitorsections 20-25, are mounted at spaced apart locations surrounding thecommon cover terminal 88. With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and10 , the section cover terminal 91 has three upstanding blades 98, 100and 102 mounted on the upper end of a terminal post 104. Terminal post104 has a distal end 105, opposite the blades 98, 100 and 102. The cover82 has an opening 106 for accommodating the terminal post 104, and has abeveled lip 107 surrounding the opening. A shaped silicone insulator 108fits snuggly under the cover in the beveled lip 107 and the terminalpost 104 passes through the insulator 108. On the upper side of thecover, an insulator cup 110 also surrounds the post 104, and theinsulator cup 110 sits atop the silicone insulator 108; thus, theterminal 91 and its terminal post 104 are well insulated from the cover82. The other cover section terminals 92-95 are similarly mounted withan insulator cup and a silicone insulator.

The common cover terminal 88 has four blades 120, and a terminal post122 that passes through a silicone insulator 112. The common coverterminal 88 mounts cover insulator barrier 114 that includes anelongated cylindrical center barrier cup 116 surrounding and extendingabove the blades 120 of the cover common terminal 88, and six barrierfins 118 that extend respectively radially outwardly from the elongatedcenter barrier cup 116 such that they are deployed between adjacentsection cover terminals 90-95. This provides additional protectionagainst any arcing or bridging contact between adjacent section coverterminals or with the common cover terminal 88. Alternatively, thecommon cover terminal 88 may be provided with an insulator cup 116,preferably extending above blades 120 but with no separating barrierfins, although the barrier fins 118 are preferred. The terminal post 122extends through an opening in the bottom of the base 117 of theinsulating barrier cup 116, and through the silicone insulator 112, to adistal end 124.

The pressure interrupter cover assembly 80 has a fiberboard disc 126through which the terminal posts 122, terminal post 104 and the terminalposts of the other section cover terminals extend. The disc 126 may bealso fabricated of other suitable material, such as polymers. Theterminal posts 104, 122, etc. are configured as rivets with rivetflanges 128 for assembly purposes. The terminal posts 104, 122, etc. areinserted through the disc 126, insulators 108, 112, insulator cups 110and barrier cup 116, and the cover terminals 88, 90-95 are spot weldedto the ends of the rivets opposite the rivet flanges 128. Thus, therivet flanges 128 secure the cover terminals 88, 90-95 in the cover 82,together with the insulator barrier 114, insulator cups 110 and siliconeinsulators 108, 112. The fiberboard disc 126 facilitates this assembly,but may be omitted, if desired. The distal ends of the terminal postsare preferably exposed below the rivet flanges 128.

The cover assembly 80 has a disconnect plate 130, perhaps best seen inFIGS. 3, 9 and 10 . The disconnect plate 130 is made of a rigidinsulating material, such as a phenolic, is spaced below the cover 82 bya spacer 134 in the form of a skirt. The disconnect plate 130 isprovided with openings accommodating the distal ends of the terminalposts, such as opening 136 accommodating the distal end 105 of terminalpost 104 and opening 138 accommodating the distal end 124 of theterminal post 122. With particular reference to FIG. 9 , the disconnectplate 130 may be provided with raised guides, such as linear guides 140and dimple guides 142, generally adjacent the openings accommodating thedistal ends of terminal posts. These guides are for positioning purposesas discussed below.

In prior capacitors having three or fewer capacitor sections, theconductors between the capacitor sections and the terminal posts weregenerally foil strips, such as the one used for the common elementterminal 36 of the capacitive element 12 herein. The foil strips werepositioned on a breaker plate over the distal ends of terminal posts,and were welded to the distal ends of the terminal posts. In capacitor10, the distal end 39 of the foil strip 38 is connected to the distalend 124 of terminal post 122 by welding, as in prior capacitors.

The wires 50-55 are not well-configured for welding to the distal endsof the terminal posts of the cover section terminals. However, the wires50-55 are desirable in place of foil strips because they are betteraccommodated in the case 60 and have good insulating properties, resistnicking and are readily available with colored insulations. In order tomake the necessary connection of the wires 50-55 to their respectiveterminal posts, foil tabs 56 are welded to each of the distal ends ofthe terminal posts of the section cover terminals 90-95, and the guides140, 142 are helpful in positioning the foil tabs 56 for the weldingprocedure. The attachment may be accomplished by welding the distal endof a foil strip to the terminal post, and then cutting the foil strip toleave the foil tab 56. Thereafter, and as best seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10, the conductor 58 of wire 50 is soldered to the tab 56, by solder 57.The insulation 59 of wire 50 has been stripped to expose the conductor58. The other wires 51-55 are similarly connected to their respectivecover section terminals. Alternatively, the foil tabs may be soldered tothe wires and the tabs may then be welded to the terminal posts, ifdesired, or other conductive attachment may be employed.

Accordingly, each of the capacitor sections 20-25 is connected to acorresponding section cover terminal 90-95 by a respective one of colorcoded wires 50-55. The insulator cups 110 associated with each of thesection cover terminals 90-95 are also color coded, using the same colorscheme as used in the wires 50-55. This facilitates assembly, in thateach capacitor section and its wire conductor are readily associatedwith the correct corresponding section cover terminal, so that thecorrect capacitor sections can be identified on the cover to make thedesired connections for establishing a selected capacitance value.

The connections of the wires 50-55 and the foil 38 to the terminal postsare made prior to placing the capacitive element 12 in the case 60,adding the insulating fluid 76, and sealing the cover 82 of coverassembly 80 to the case 60. The case 60 may be labeled with thecapacitance values of the capacitance sections 20-25 adjacent the coverterminals, such as on the side of case 60 near the cover 82 or on thecover 82.

The capacitor 10 may be used to replace a failed capacitor of any one ofover two hundred different capacitance values, including both single anddual applications. Therefore, a serviceman is able to replace virtuallyany failed capacitor he may encounter as he makes service calls onequipment of various manufacturers, models, ages and the like.

As noted above, the capacitor 10 is expected to be used most widely inservicing air conditioning units. Air conditioning units typically havetwo capacitors; a capacitor for the compressor motor which may or maynot be of relatively high capacitance value and a capacitor ofrelatively low capacitance value for a fan motor. The compressor motorcapacitors typically have capacitances of from 20 to about 60microfarads. The fan motor capacitors typically have capacitance valuesfrom about 2.5 to 12.5 microfarads, and sometimes as high as 15microfarads, although values at the lower end of the range are mostcommon.

With reference to FIG. 11 , capacitor 10 is connected to replace acompressor motor capacitor and a fan motor capacitor, where thecompressor motor capacitor has a value of 25.0 microfarads and the fanmotor capacitor has a value of 4.0 microfarads. The 25.0 microfaradreplacement capacitance for the compressor motor is made by one of thecompressor motor leads 160 being connected to one of the blades of theblue section cover terminal 90 of capacitor section 20, which has acapacitance value of 25.0 microfarads, and the other compressor motorlead 161 being connected to one of the blades 120 of common coverterminal 88. The lead 162 from the fan motor is connected to the whitesection cover terminal 94 of capacitor section 24, and the second lead163 from the fan motor is also connected to the common cover terminal88. As set forth above, the actual capacitance value of the capacitorsection 24 that is connected to the section cover terminal 94 is 4.5microfarads, and the instructions and/or labeling for the capacitor 10indicate that the capacitor section 24 as represented at terminal 94should be used for a 4.0 microfarad replacement. Preferred labeling forthis purpose can be “5.0 (4.0) microfarads” or similar. The 4.5microfarad capacitance value is within approximately 10% of thespecified 4.0 microfarad value, and that is within acceptable tolerancesfor proper operation of the fan motor. Of course, the capacitor section24 and terminal 94 may be connected to replace a 5.0 microfaradcapacitance value as well, whereby the 4.5 microfarad actual capacitancevalue of capacitor section 24 gives added flexibility in replacingfailed capacitors. Similarly, the 5.5 microfarad capacitor section 23can be used for either 5.0 microfarad or 6.0 microfarad replacement, andthe 2.8 microfarad capacitor section 25 can be used for a 3.0 microfaradreplacement or for a 2.5 microfarad additive value. FIG. 12schematically illustrates the connection of capacitor sections 20 and 24to the compressor motor and fan motor shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 illustrates another connection of the capacitor 10 for replacinga 60.0 microfarad compressor motor capacitor and a 7.5 microfarad fanmotor capacitor. The formula for the total capacitance value forcapacitors connected in parallel is additive namely: C_(t)=C₁+C₂+C₃Therefore, with reference to FIG. 13 , a 60.0 microfarad capacitancevalue for the compressor motor is achieved by connecting in parallel thesection cover terminal 90 (capacitor section 20 at a value of 25.0microfarads), section cover terminal 91 (capacitor section 21 at a valueof 20.0 microfarads), section cover terminal 92 (capacitor section 22 ata value of 10.0 microfarads) and section cover terminal 93 (capacitorsection 23 at a nominal value of 5.0 microfarads). The foregoingconnections are made by means of jumpers 164, 165 and 166, which may besupplied with the capacitor 10. Lead 167 is connected from the sectioncover terminal 90 of the capacitor section 20 to the compressor motor,and lead 168 is connected from the common cover terminal 88 to thecompressor motor. This has the effect of connecting the specifiedcapacitor sections 20, 21, 22 and 23 in parallel, giving a total of 60.0microfarad capacitance; to wit: 25+20+10+5=60. It is preferred but notrequired to connect the lead from the compressor motor or the fan motorto the highest value capacitor section used in providing the totalcapacitance.

Similarly, a 7.5 microfarad capacitance is provided to the fan motor byconnecting section cover terminal 94 of the 5.0 microfarad capacitorsection 24 and the section cover terminal 95 of the nominal 2.5microfarad capacitor section 25 in parallel via jumper 169. Leads 170and 171 connect the fan motor to the common cover terminal 88 and thesection cover terminal 95 of the capacitor section 25. FIG. 14diagrammatically illustrates the connection of the capacitor 10 shown inFIG. 13 .

It will be appreciated that various other jumper connections betweensection cover terminals can be utilized to connect selected capacitorsections in parallel, in order to provide a wide variety of capacitancereplacement values.

The capacitor sections can also be connected in series to utilizecapacitor 10 as a single value replacement capacitor. This has the addedadvantage of increasing the voltage rating of the capacitor 10 in aseries application, i.e. the capacitor 10 can safely operate at highervoltages when its sections are connected in series. As a practicalmatter, the operating voltage will not be increased as it is establishedby the existing equipment and circuit, and the increased voltage ratingderived from a series connection will increase the life of the capacitor10 because it will be operating well below its maximum rating.

With reference to FIG. 15 , the capacitor 10 is shown with capacitorsection 22 (terminal 92) having a value of 10.0 microfarads connected inseries with capacitor section 25 (terminal 95) having a nominal value of2.5 microfarads to provide a replacement capacitance value of 2.0microfarads. Leads 175 and 176 make the connections from the respectivesection cover terminals 92 and 95 to the motor, and the element commonterminal 36 connects the capacitor sections 22 and 25 of capacitiveelement 12. With reference to FIG. 16 , the connection of capacitor 10shown in FIG. 15 is illustrated diagrammatically. In both FIGS. 15 and16 , it will be seen that the cover common terminal 88 is not used inmaking series connections.

The formula for capacitance of capacitors connected in series is

$\frac{1}{C_{T}} = {\frac{1}{C_{1}} + \frac{1}{C_{2}} + {\frac{1}{C_{3}}\ldots}}$${Therefore},{C_{T} = \frac{C_{1} \times C_{2}}{C_{1} + C_{2}}},$

and the total capacitance of the capacitor sections 22 and 25 connectedas shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is

$C_{T} = {\frac{10. \times 2.5}{10. + 2.5} = {\frac{25}{12.5} = {2.0}}}$

microfarads. The capacitance of each of the capacitor sections 20-25 israted at 440 volts. However, when two or more capacitor sections 20-25are connected in series, the applied voltage section is divided betweenthe capacitor sections in inverse proportion to their value. Thus, inthe series connection of FIGS. 15 and 16 , the nominal 2.5 microfaradsection sees about 80% of the applied voltage and the 10.0 microfaradsection sees about 20% of the applied voltage. The net effect is thatthe capacitor 10 provides the 2.0 microfarad replacement value at ahigher rating, due to the series connection. In this configuration, thecapacitor 10 is lightly stressed and is apt to have an extremely longlife.

With reference to FIG. 17 , the capacitor sections of the capacitor 10are shown connected in a combination of parallel and series connectionsto provide additional capacitive values at high voltage ratings, in thiscase 5.0 microfarads. The two capacitor sections 23 and 24 each having anominal value of 5.0 microfarads are connected in parallel by jumper 177between their respective cover section terminals 93 and 94. The leads178 and 179 from a compressor motor are connected to the section coverterminal 92 of capacitor section 22 having a value of 10.0 microfarads,and the other lead is connected to cover section terminal 94 ofcapacitor section 24. Thus, a capacitance value of 5.0 microfarads isprovided according to the following formula

${\frac{1}{C_{T}} = {\frac{1}{C_{1}} + \frac{1}{C_{2}}}},$

where C₁ is a parallel connection having the value C+C, in this case5.0+5.0 for a C₁ of 10.0 microfarads. With that substitution, the totalvalue is

$C_{T} = {\frac{10. \times 10.}{10 + 10} = {\frac{100}{20} = 5.}}$

microfarads. The connection of capacitor 10 illustrated in FIG. 17 isshown diagrammatically in FIG. 18 .

FIG. 19 is a chart showing single capacitance values that can beprovided by the capacitor 10 connected in parallel. The values arederived by connecting individual capacitor sections into a circuit, orby parallel connections of capacitor sections. The chart should beinterpreted remembering that the 2.8 microfarad capacitor section can beused as a 2.5 or 3.0 microfarad replacement, and that the two 5.0microfarad values are actually 4.5 and 5.5 microfarad capacitorsections, also with possibilities for more replacements.

FIGS. 20-23 are charts showing applications of capacitor 10 in replacingboth a fan motor capacitor and a compressor motor capacitor. This is animportant capability, because many air conditioning systems are equippedwith dual value capacitors and when one of the values fails, anotherdual value capacitor must be substituted into the mounting spacebracket. The chart of FIG. 20 shows dual value capacitances that can beprovided by capacitor 10 wherein the nominal 2.5 microfarad capacitorsection 25 is used for one of the dual values, usually the fan motor.Fan motors are generally not rigid in their requirements for an exactcapacitance value, wherein the capacitor section 25 may also be used forfan motors specifying a 3.0 microfarad capacitor. The remainingcapacitor sections 20-24 are available for connection individually or inparallel to the compressor motor, providing capacitance values from 5.0to 65.0 microfarads in 5.0 microfarad increments.

The chart of FIG. 21 also shows dual value capacitances that can beprovided by capacitor 10. In the chart of FIG. 21 , one of the dualvalues is 5.0 microfarads that can be provided by either capacitorsection 23 having an actual capacitance value of 5.5 microfarads or bycapacitor section 24 having an actual capacitance of 4.5 microfarads. Asdiscussed above, the capacitor section 24 can also be used for a 4.0microfarad replacement value, and capacitor section 23 could be used fora 6.0 microfarad replacement value. Thus, the FIG. 21 chart representsmore dual replacement values than are specifically listed. The othercapacitor section may be used in various parallel connections to achievethe second of the dual capacitance values.

The chart of FIG. 22 illustrates yet additional dual value capacitancesthat can be provided by capacitor 10. Capacitor section 25 (nominal 2.5microfarads) is connected in parallel with one of capacitor section 23(5.5 microfarads) or capacitor section 24 (4.5 microfarads) to provide a7.5 microfarad capacitance value as one of the dual value capacitances.The remaining capacitor sections are used individually or in parallel toprovide the second of the dual value capacitances.

The FIG. 23 chart illustrates yet additional dual value capacitancesthat can be provided by capacitor 10, where capacitor section 22 (10microfarads) is dedicated to provide one of the dual values. Theremaining capacitor sections are used individually or in parallel forthe other of the dual values.

It will be appreciated that any one or group of capacitor sections maybe used for one of a dual value, with a selected one or group of theremaining capacitor sections connected to provide another capacitancevalue. Although there are no known applications, it will also beappreciated that the capacitor 10 could provide six individualcapacitance values corresponding to the capacitor sections, or three,four or five capacitance values in selected individual and parallelconnections. Additional single values can be derived from seriesconnections.

The six capacitor sections 20-25 can provide hundreds of replacementvalues, including single and dual values. It will further be appreciatedthat if fewer replacement values are required, the capacitor 10 can bemade with five or even four capacitor sections, and that if morereplacement values were desired, the capacitor 10 could be made withmore than six capacitor sections. It is believed that, at least in theintended field of use for replacement of air conditioner capacitors,there should be a minimum of five capacitor sections and preferably sixcapacitor sections to provide an adequate number of replacement values.

As is known in the art, there are occasional failures of capacitiveelements made of wound metalized polymer film. If the capacitive elementfails, it may do so in a sudden and violent manner, producing heat andoutgassing such that high internal pressures are developed within thehousing. Pressure responsive interrupter systems have been designed tobreak the connection between the capacitive element and the coverterminals in response to the high internal pressure, thereby removingthe capacitive element from a circuit and stopping the high heat andoverpressure condition within the housing before the housing ruptures.Such pressure interrupter systems have been provided for capacitorshaving two and three cover terminals, including the common terminal, butit has not been known to provide a capacitor with four or more capacitorsections and a pressure interrupter cover assembly.

The pressure interrupter cover assembly 80 provides such protection forthe capacitor 10 and its capacitive element 12. With reference to FIG.24 , the capacitor 10 is shown after failure. Outgassing has caused thecircular cover 82 to deform upwardly into a generally domed shape. Whenthe cover 82 deforms in the manner shown, the terminal posts 104, 122are also displaced upwardly from the disconnect plate 130, and the weldconnection of the distal end 124 of common cover terminal post 122 tothe distal end 39 foil lead 38 from the element common terminal 36 ofthe capacitive element 12 is broken, and the welds between the foil tabs56 and the terminal posts 104 of the section cover terminals 90-95 arealso broken, the separation at section cover terminals 91 and 94 beingshown.

Although the preferred pressure interrupter cover assembly includes thefoil lead 38 and foil tabs 56, frangibly connected to the distal ends ofthe terminal posts, the frangible connections both known in the art andto be developed may be used. As an example, the terminal poststhemselves may be frangible.

It should be noted that although it is desirable that the connections ofthe capacitive element and all cover terminals break, it is notnecessary that they all do so in order to disconnect the capacitiveelement 12 from a circuit. For all instances in which the capacitor 10is used with its capacitor sections connected individually or inparallel, only the terminal post 122 of common cover terminal 88 must bedisconnected in order to remove the capacitive element 12 from thecircuit. Locating the cover common terminal 88 in the center of thecover 82, where the deformation of the cover 82 is the greatest, ensuresthat the common cover terminal connection is broken both first and withcertainty in the event of a failure of the capacitive element 12.

If the capacitor sections of the capacitor 10 are utilized in a seriesconnection, it is necessary that only one of the terminal posts used inthe series connection be disconnected from its foil tab at thedisconnect plate 130 to remove the capacitive element from an electricalcircuit. In this regard, it should be noted that the outgassingcondition will persist until the pressure interrupter cover assembly 80deforms sufficiently to cause disconnection from the circuit, and it isbelieved that an incremental amount of outgassing may occur as requiredto cause sufficient deformation and breakage of the circuit connectionat the terminal post of one of the section cover terminal. However, inthe most common applications of the capacitor 10, the common coverterminal 88 will be used and the central location of the common coverterminal 88 will cause fast and certain disconnect upon any failure ofthe capacitive element.

Two other aspects of the design are pertinent to the performance of thepressure interrupter system. First, with respect to series connectionsonly, the common cover terminal 88 may be twisted to pre-break theconnection of the terminal post 122 with the foil strip 38, thuseliminating the requirement of any force to break that connection in theevent of a failure of the capacitive element 12. The force that wouldotherwise be required to break the connection of cover common terminalpost 122 is then applied to the terminal posts of the section coverterminals, whereby the section cover terminals are more readilydisconnected. This makes the pressure interrupter cover assembly 80highly responsive in a series connection configuration.

Second, the structural aspects of welding foil tabs to the distal endsof the terminal posts corresponding to the various capacitor sectionsand thereafter soldering the connecting wires onto the foil tabs 56 isalso believed to make the pressure interrupter cover assembly 80 moreresponsive to failure of the capacitive element 12. In particular, thesolder and wire greatly enhance the rigidity of the foil tabs 56 whereinupon deformation of the cover 82, the terminal posts break cleanly fromthe foil tabs 56 instead of pulling the foil tabs partially through thedisconnect plate before separating. Thus, the capacitor 10, despitehaving a common cover terminal and section cover terminals for sixcapacitor sections, is able to satisfy safety requirements forfluid-filled metalized film capacitors, which is considered asubstantial advance in the art.

Another capacitor 200 according to the invention herein is illustratedin FIGS. 25-27 . The capacitor 200 has the same or similar externalappearance and functionality as capacitor 10, and is adapted to replaceany one of a large number of capacitors with the capacitor 200 connectedto provide the same capacitance value or values of a failed capacitor.

The capacitor 200 is characterized by a capacitive element 212 havingtwo wound cylindrical capacitive elements 214 and 216 stacked in axialalignment in case 60. The first wound cylindrical capacitive element 214provides three capacitor sections 20 a, 22 a and 23 a, and the secondwound cylindrical element 216 provides an additional three capacitivesections 21 a, 24 a and 25 a. These capacitor sections correspond incapacitance value to the capacitor sections 20-25 of capacitor 10, i.e.capacitor sections 20 and 20 a have the same capacitance value,capacitor sections 21 and 21 a have the same capacitance value, etc.

The wound cylindrical capacitive element 214 has a central spool ormandrel 228, which has a central opening 229. First and seconddielectric films, each having metalized layer on one side thereof, arewound in cylindrical form on the mandrel 228 with the non-metalized sizeof one film being in contact with the metalized side of the other.Selected portions of one or both of the metalized layers are removed inorder to provide multiple sections in the wound cylindrical capacitiveelement. Element insulation barriers 230 and 231 are inserted into thewinding to separate the capacitor sections, the element insulationbarriers also assuming a cylindrical configuration, with the elementinsulation barrier 230 separating capacitor sections 20 a and 22 a, andelement insulation barrier 231 separating capacitor sections 22 a and 23a. Zinc or other metal spray is applied between the barriers to formsection terminals 40 a, 42 a and 43 a at one end of wound cylindricalcapacitive element 214, and first common element terminal 36 a.

The second wound cylindrical capacitive element 216 is similarly formed,on a mandrel 226 with central opening 227, providing three capacitorsections 21 a, 24 a and 25 a, with insulation barriers 232 and 233separating the sections. The insulation barriers may be as describedabove with respect to capacitive element 12, i.e. polypropylene barrierssufficient to withstand heat from adjacent soldering without loosing theintegrity of electrical insulation. The capacitor sections 21 a, 24 aand 25 a are also metal sprayed to form section terminals 41 a, 44 a and45 a with capacitance values respectively corresponding to sections 41,44 and 45 of capacitive element 12.

Element common terminal 36 a′ is also formed. Element common terminal 36a of wound cylindrical capacitive element 214 connects the sections 20a, 22 a and 23 a thereof, and an element common terminal 36 a′ of woundcylindrical capacitive element 216 electrically connects the capacitorsections 21 a, 24 a and 25 a. The element common terminals 36 a and 36a′ are connected by a foil strip 236, wherein they become the commonterminal for all capacitor sections. The wound cylindrical capacitiveelements 214 and 216 are stacked vertically in the case 60, with thecommon element terminals 36 a, 36 a′ adjacent to each other such thatany contact between these common element terminals is normal andacceptable because they are connected as the common terminal for allcapacitor sections. An insulator cup 270 is positioned in the bottom ofcase 60, to protect element section terminals 21 a, 24 a and 25 a fromcontact with the case 60 and a post 272 keeps the wound cylindricalelements 214 and 216 aligned and centered in case 60.

Conductors 50 a-55 a, preferably in the form of six insulated foilstrips or insulated wires, each have one of their respective endssoldered to corresponding element section terminals 20 a-25 a, and havetheir other respective ends connected to the corresponding terminalposts of pressure interrupter cover assembly 80. One of the elementcommon terminals 36 a, 36 a′ is connected to the cover common terminalpost 122 by conductor 38 a. When the conductors are foil strips, all ofthe conductors may be connected as described above with respect to thefoil strip 38, and if the conductors are insulated wire conductors theymay be connected as described above with respect to the insulated wires50-55. The case 60 is filled with an insulating fluid 76.

The length L of the two wound cylindrical capacitives 214 and 216, i.e.the length of the mandrels 226 and 228 on which the metalized dielectricsheet is wound, is selected in part to provide the desired capacitancevalues. The outer capacitor sections having the greater circumferentialdimension contain more metalized dielectric film than the capacitorsections more closely adjacent to the mandrels, and therefore provide alarger capacitance value. Thus, the longer wound cylindrical capacitiveelement 214 provides the 25 microfarad capacitor section 20 a and the 10microfarad capacitor section 22 a, with the 5.5 microfarad capacitorsection 23 a adjacent mandrel 238. The shorter wound cylindricalcapacitive element 216 provides the 20 microfarad capacitor section 21a, the 4.5 microfarad capacitor section 24 a and the 2.8 microfaradcapacitor section 25 a.

A capacitive element 212 made up of two wound cylindrical capacitiveelements 214 and 216 therefore provides the same capacitance values inits various capacitor sections as capacitive element 12 and, whenconnected to the cover section terminals 90-95, may be connected in thesame way as described above with respect to the capacitor 10 and toprovide the same replacement capacitance values shown in the charts ofFIGS. 19-23 .

With reference to FIGS. 28-30 , another capacitor 300 is shown, alsohaving the same or similar exterior appearance as the capacitor 10 andhaving the same functionality and replacing failed capacitors of varyingvalues. The capacitor 300 includes case 60 and pressure interruptercover assembly 80, and the capacitor 300 is characterized by acapacitive element provided in six separate wound cylindrical capacitiveelements 320-325, each wound cylindrical capacitive element providingone capacitor section 20 b-25 b of the total capacitive element 312.

Accordingly, the capacitive element includes a first wound cylindricalcapacitive element 320 which provides a capacitive section 20 b,preferably having a capacitance value of 25 microfarads. The capacitivesection 20 b has a section terminal 40 b which is connected by conductor50 b to section cover terminal 90 of the cover assembly 80, and hasbottom common terminal 360. Wound cylindrical capacitor element 321provides the capacitor section 21 b having a value of 20 microfarads,having a section terminal 41 b connected to the cover section terminal91 by a conductor 51 b. This section also has a bottom terminal 361.Similarly, a wound cylindrical capacitive element 322 provides thecapacitor section 22 b of capacitance value 10 microfarads, with sectionterminal 42 b connected to the corresponding section cover terminal 92by conductor 52 c, and has a bottom terminal 362. Wound cylindricalcapacitive element 325 provides capacitor section 25 b having sectionalterminal 45 b connected to the section cover terminal 95 by insulatedwire conductor 55 b. It also has a bottom terminal 325. The woundcylindrical capacitive element 325, providing only 2.8 microfarads ofcapacitance value, is quite small compared to the wound cylindricalcapacitive elements 320, 321 and 322.

The four wound cylindrical capacitive elements 320, 321, 322 and 325 areoriented vertically within the case 60, but provide sufficient head roomto accommodate two additional wound cylindrical capacitive elements 323and 324, which are placed horizontally under the cover assembly 80. Thewound capacitive element 323 provides capacitor section 23 b, preferablyhaving a value of 4.5 microfarads, and the wound cylindrical capacitiveelement 324 provides capacitor section 24 b having a value of 5.5microfarads. These capacitor sections have, respectively, sectionterminals 43 b and 44 b connected to cover terminals 93 and 94 byconductors 53 b and 54 b and bottom terminals 323 and 324.

All of the bottom terminals 320-325 are connected together to formcommon element terminal 36 b, and are connected to the common coverterminal 88. As best seen in FIG. 29 , the bottom terminals 320, 321,322 and 325 of the capacitor sections 20 b, 21 b, 22 b and 25 b areconnected together by strips soldered or welded thereto, these stripsproviding both an electrical connection and a mechanical connectionholding the assemblies together. Additionally, they may be wrapped withinsulating tape. An insulated foil strip 38 b connects the aforesaidbottom terminals to the common cover terminal. The bottom terminals 323and 324 of capacitor sections 23 b and 24 b are also connected together,and are further connected to the common cover terminal by an insulatedfoil strip 38 b′.

The wound cylindrical capacitive elements 320-325 are placed in case 60with an insulating fluid 76. The capacitor 300 may be used in the sameway as described above with respect to capacitor 10, to provide selectedreplacement values for a large number of different failed capacitors.

It will be noted that the wound cylindrical capacitive elements 320-325occupy less space in the case 60 than the single wound cylindricalcapacitive element 12 of capacitor 10. This is achieved by using thinnerdielectric film wherein the capacitance values can be provided in lessvolume; however, the voltage rating of the wound cylindrical capacitiveelements 320-325 is correspondingly less because of the thinnerdielectric material. Thus, the capacitors made with this technique mayhave a shorter life, but benefit from a lower cost of manufacture.

Another capacitor 400 according to the invention herein is illustratedin FIG. 31 . The capacitor 400 may have the same or similar externalappearance and functionality as capacitor 10, and may be adapted toreplace any one of a large number of capacitors with the capacitor 400connected to provide the same capacitance value or values of a failedcapacitor.

The capacitor 400 may include one or more magnetic elements forassisting in mounting of the capacitor 400 (e.g., to an air conditioningsystem). In the illustrated example, a magnet 402 is positioned toward abottom end of the capacitor 400. In particular, the magnet 402 ispositioned between a bottom wall 464 of a case 460 of the capacitor 400and a bottom cup 470 of the capacitor 400 (e.g., beneath a center post472 of the bottom cup 470). The magnet 402 is configured to createmagnetic attraction between the magnet 402 and a magnetic surface inproximity to the capacitor 400. For example, the magnet 402 may causethe bottom wall 464 of the case 460 to be attracted to a metallicsurface of an air conditioning system, thereby improving the integrityof a mounting between the capacitor 400 and the air conditioning systemafter installation. The magnet 402 may be designed such that thestrength of magnetic attraction between the magnet 402 and the airconditioning system is such that the magnet 402 may remain firmly inplace in response to possible vibration and/or other movement of the airconditioning system during operational use. In some implementations, thestrength of magnetic attraction between the magnet 402 and the aircondition system is such that a user (e.g., a technician installing oruninstalling the capacitor 400) can remove the capacitor from thesurface of the air conditioning system without requiring excessiveeffort.

While the magnet 402 is illustrated as being positioned interior to thecase 460 of the capacitor 400, in some implementations, the magnet 402may be positioned outside of the case 460 on an exterior of the bottomwall 464 of the case 460. For example, the magnet 402 may have a diskshape that is positioned outside of the case 460 at an outer surface ofa base of the case 460.

In some examples, the magnet 402 may have a rectangular shape. Forexample, the magnet 402 may be a rectangular strip that runs along thebottom wall 464 of the case 460 of the capacitor 400. In particular, therectangular strip may have a particular thickness, a first dimensionthat runs from the left side of the capacitor 400 to the right side ofthe capacitor 400 as illustrated in FIG. 31 , and a second dimensionthat is perpendicular to the first dimension and smaller than the firstdimension. In some implementations, the magnet 402 may have a squareshape (e.g., such that the first dimension is equal to or substantiallyequal to the second dimension). In some implementations, the magnet 402may have a rod shape. In some implementations, the magnet 402 may have acircular shape (e.g., a disk shape) or a hollow circular shape (e.g., aring shape). For example, in some implementations, the magnet 402 mayhave dimensions equal to or substantially equal to the dimensions of adisk-shaped battery (e.g., a watch battery such as a CR2032 battery). Insome implementations, the magnet 402 is a disk-shape with a thickness ofapproximately 4 mm and a diameter of approximately 160 mm. In someimplementations, the magnet 402 is a disk-shape with a thickness ofapproximately 4 mm and a diameter of approximately 40 mm. In someimplementations, the magnet 402 is a disk-shape with a thickness ofapproximately 4.5-5 mm and a diameter of about 60 mm. In someimplementations, the magnet 402 is a disk-shape with a thickness ofapproximately 5 mm and a diameter of about 60 mm.

The particular shape and/or dimensions of the magnet 402 may be chosento achieve the desired strength of magnetic attraction. For example, themagnet 402 may be designed with a particular shape and/or largerdimensions and/or larger thicknesses to achieve a relatively higherstrength of magnetic attraction with a magnetic surface. In someimplementations, increased surface area of the magnet 402 toward thebottom wall 464 of the case 460 of the capacitor 400 may increase thestrength of magnetic attraction.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 has a strength of approximately30-40 milliTeslas (mT) or a strength of approximately 65-75 mT. In someimplementations, the strength of magnetic attraction can be increased bystacking multiple magnets 402 (e.g., on top of each other). In someimplementations, two stacked magnets 402 can have a strength ofapproximately 70-80 mT, 60-80 mT, or 130-150 mT, although other rangesare also possible. In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be aD40×4 ferrite ceramic magnet manufactured by Hangzhou Honesun MagnetCo., Ltd.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be magnetized using one ormore of a plurality of techniques. For example, in some implementations,the magnet 402 may be magnetized such that a north and a south pole ofthe magnet 402 is located at a particular position of the magnet 402.For example, the techniques for magnetizing the magnet 402 may cause thenorth and/or south pole to be located at various thicknesses of themagnet 402, various axial positions of the magnet 402, various diametricpositions of the magnet 402, and/or various radial positions of themagnet 402. In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be a multi-polemagnet.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 is a permanent magnet that ismade from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistentmagnetic field. For example, the magnet 402 may be made from aferromagnetic material that can be magnetized, such as iron, nickel,cobalt, and/or an alloy of rare-earth metals, among others. In someimplementations, the magnet 402 is a ferrite and/or ceramic magnet. Insome implementations, the magnet 402 may include one or more of ferricoxide, iron oxide, barium, barium carbonate, strontium, and/or strontiumcarbonate. The magnet 402 may include one or more magnetically “hard”materials (e.g., materials that tend to stay magnetized). Alternativelyor additionally, the magnet 402 may include one or more magnetically“soft” materials.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be a rare-earth magnet. Arare-earth magnet is typically a relatively strong permanent magnet thatis made from one or more alloys of rare-earth elements. Example ofrare-earth elements that can be used in a rare-earth magnet includeelements in the lanthanide series, scandium, and yttrium, although otherelements may also or alternatively be used. In some implementations, therare-earth magnet may produce a magnetic field of greater than 1.0 T(teslas). In some implementations, the rare-earth magnet may include oneor both of samarium-cobalt and neodymium.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be made from one or moreceramic compounds (e.g., ferrite) that can be produced by combining ironoxide and one or more metallic elements. In some implementations, suchceramic compounds may be electrically nonconductive. The use of suchceramic compounds for the magnet 402 may eliminate the inclusion ofelectrically conductive elements in the capacitor 400 that may otherwiseaffect the operation of the capacitor 400.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 may have a grade thatcorresponds to a particular standard (e.g., a National and/orInternational standard). In some implementations, the grade of themagnet 402 corresponds to the Chinese ferrite magnet nomenclaturesystem. For example, in some implementations, the magnet 402 is gradeY10 T, Y25, Y30, Y33, Y35, Y30BH, or Y33BH, although other grades arealso possible. In some implementations, the grade corresponds to aworking temperature of 250° C. In some implementations, the grade of themagnet 402 corresponds to a Feroba, an American (e.g., “C”), or aEuropean (e.g., “HF”) grading standard.

In some implementations, the magnet 402 may be an electromagnet thatproduces a magnetic field by introducing an electric current. In someimplementations, the electromagnet may include a magnetic core and awire (e.g., an insulated wire) wound into a coil around the magneticcore. The magnetic core may be made from a ferromagnetic or aferrimagnetic material such as iron or steel. The magnetic core may bemade from a “soft” magnetic material (e.g., a magnetic material that canallow magnetic domains in the material to align upon introduction of thecurrent through the coil).

By using an electromagnet as the magnet 402, the strength of magneticattraction can be turned on and off and/or customized according to thecurrent passed through the coil. For example, current can be appliedthrough the coil to cause the electromagnet to generate a magneticfield, and the current can be removed from the coil to cause theelectromagnetic to cease generating the magnetic field. In someimplementations, the strength of the magnetic field (and, e.g., thestrength of magnetic attraction created by the electromagnet) can beadjusted based on the magnitude of electrical current passed through thecoil. For example, relatively higher magnitudes of electrical currentcorrespond to higher magnetic field strengths and therefore higherstrengths of magnetic attraction (e.g., with a magnetic surface), andrelatively lower magnitudes of electrical current correspond to lowermagnetic field strengths and therefore lower strength of magneticattraction.

In some implementations, the particular material used for the core ofthe electromagnet and/or the dimensions of the core may be chosen toachieve the desired strength of magnetic attraction. The core may bemade from a material such as one or both of iron and steel. In someimplementations, the dimensions of the coil and/or the number of turnsof the coil may also be chosen to achieve the desired strength ofmagnetic attraction.

In some implementations, the current that is provided through the coilmay be provided by a connection with one or more of the section coverterminals 90-95 and the common cover terminal 88 of the capacitor 400.For example, a conductor (e.g., a wire) may be used to connect one ormore of the section cover terminals 90-95 to a first end of the coil anda conductor may be used to connect another one of the section coverterminals 90-95 or the common cover terminal 88 to a second end of thecoil. In this way, the current that otherwise runs through theelectrical components of the capacitor 400 can also be used to power theelectromagnetic, thereby causing the electromagnet to generate amagnetic field.

In some implementations, the capacitor 400 may include one or moredifferent and/or additional electrical components that can be used bythe electromagnet to generate the magnetic field. For example, thecapacitor 400 may include a separate capacitor that is configured tostore a charge to be used to subsequently apply current through the coilof the electromagnetic. In this way, the electromagnet may have aseparate power source that can be used when generation of a magneticfield is desired.

In some implementations, the capacitor 400 may include a switch that canbe toggled by a user (e.g., a technician or an operator of the capacitor400) to cause the electromagnetic to generate or cease generating themagnetic field. The switch may cause an electrical connection in thecoil to be temporarily broken and restored. In some implementations(e.g., implementations in which the coil is connected to one or more ofthe section cover terminals 90-95 and/or the common cover terminal 88),the switch may cause the conductor that connects the coil to one or moreof the section cover terminals 90-95 and/or the conductor that connectsthe coil to the common cover terminal 88 to be temporarily broken andrestored, such that the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetcan be toggled on and off. In this way, the user can toggle the magneticfield on when mounting of the capacitor 400 is desired (e.g., at thetime of installation) and toggle the magnetic field off when mounting ofthe capacitor 400 is not desired (e.g., when the capacitor 400 is not inuse and/or being stored) or when magnetic attraction is not desired(e.g., when mounting the capacitor 400 at a location that does notinclude a magnetic surface).

In some implementations, one or more of the capacitive elements of thecapacitor 400 and/or the capacitor sections of the capacitor 400 may beused to store the charge that is provided to the coil to cause themagnetic field to be generated. For example, the capacitive element 12and/or one or more of the capacitor sections 20-25 may be configured tostore a charge that is subsequently provided to the coil of theelectromagnetic. In this way, electrical charge that is otherwise storedby the capacitor 400 during typical use can also be used to power theelectromagnet.

While the capacitor 400 shown in the illustrated example includes onemagnet 402, additional magnets may also be provided. For example, aplurality of magnets 402 may be positioned between the bottom wall 464of the case 460 of the capacitor 400 and the bottom cup 470 of thecapacitor 400. The plurality of magnets 402 may have dimensions that arerelatively smaller than dimensions that may be chosen forimplementations in which only a single magnet 402 is used. The pluralityof magnets 402 may have dimensions substantially similar to dimensionsof a watch battery, such as a CR2032 battery. The plurality of magnets402 may be positioned at various locations at the bottom wall 464 of thecase 460. For example, the plurality of magnets 402 may be arranged in aring around a perimeter of the bottom wall 464 such that the pluralityof magnets 402 are spaced approximately equidistant from one another. Insome implementations, the plurality of magnets 402 may be arranged ingroups of two, three, etc. magnets 402. Any number of magnets 402 may beprovided to achieve the desired strength of magnetic attraction.

In some implementations, the capacitor 400 includes two magnets 402positioned between the bottom wall 464 of the case 460 of the capacitor400 and the bottom cup 470 of the capacitor 400. In someimplementations, the two magnets 402 are each circular shape (e.g., diskshaped). The two magnets 402 may have a stacked configuration such thata first disk shaped magnet is stacked on top of a second disk shapedmagnet. In some implementations, the two magnets 402 may have a combinedstrength of approximately 70-80 mT, 60-80 mT, or 130-150 mT, althoughother ranges are also possible. The two magnets 402 may have the same ordifferent diameters. In some implementations, the two magnets 402 may bepositioned at a location that is misaligned with a center of the bottomwall 464 of the case 460. For example, the center of the magnets 402 maybe misaligned with the center of the bottom wall 464 of the case 460such that the magnets 402 are positioned proximate to a side wall of thecase 460. In some implementations, the center of the magnets 402 may bealigned with the center of the bottom wall 464 of the case 460. In someimplementations, the centers of the two magnets 402 may be misalignedrelative to each other. In other words, a center of one of the magnetsmay be misaligned with a center of the other magnet.

Another capacitor 500 according to the invention herein is illustratedin FIG. 32 . The capacitor 500 may have the same or similar externalappearance and functionality as capacitors 10 and 400, and may beadapted to replace any one of a large number of capacitors with thecapacitor 500 connected to provide the same capacitance value or valuesof a failed capacitor.

The capacitor 500 may include one or more magnets for assisting inmounting of the capacitor 500 (e.g., to an air conditioning system). Inthe illustrated example, a magnet 502 is positioned inside a side wall562 of a case 560 (e.g., sometimes referred to as a container) of thecapacitor 500. The magnet 502 is configured to create magneticattraction between the magnet 502 and a magnetic surface in proximity tothe capacitor 500. For example, the magnet 502 may cause the side wall562 of the case 560 to be attracted to a metallic surface of an airconditioning system, thereby improving the integrity of a mountingbetween the capacitor 500 and the air conditioning system afterinstallation. The magnet 502 may be designed such that the strength ofmagnetic attraction between the magnet 502 and the air conditioningsystem is such that the magnet 502 may remain firmly in place inresponse to possible vibration and/or other movement of the airconditioning system during operational use. In some implementations, thestrength of magnetic attraction between the magnet 502 and the aircondition system is such that a user (e.g., a technician installing oruninstalling the capacitor 500) can remove the capacitor from thesurface of the air conditioning system without requiring excessiveeffort.

In some examples, the magnet 502 may have a rectangular shape. Forexample, the magnet 502 may be a rectangular strip that runs from top tobottom along the side wall 562 of the case 560 of the capacitor 500. Inparticular, the rectangular strip may have a particular thickness, afirst dimension that runs from the top end of the capacitor 500 to thebottom end of the capacitor 500, and a second dimension that isperpendicular to the first dimension and smaller than the firstdimension. In some implementations, the magnet 502 may have a squareshape (e.g., such that the first dimension is equal to or substantiallyequal to the second dimension). In some implementations, the magnet 502may have a rod shape. In some implementations, the magnet 502 may have acircular shape (e.g., a disk shape) or a hollow circular shape (e.g., aring shape). For example, in some implementations, the magnet 502 mayhave dimensions equal to or substantially equal to the dimensions of adisk-shaped battery (e.g., a watch battery such as a CR2032 battery). Insome implementations, other shapes, a combination of shapes, etc. may beemployed; for example, various types of curves may be incorporated intoone or more magnetic strips (e.g., elongated oval shaped strips).Patterns of magnetic material may used; for example two crossed magneticstrips, a pattern of crosses, circles, etc. may be attached,incorporated into the bottom wall, side wall 562, etc. of the capacitor500.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may have a curved shape thatmatches or substantially matches a curve of the case 560 of thecapacitor 500. For example, the magnet 502 may have a curve that allowsthe magnet 502 to make continuous contact with the side wall 562 of thecase 560 of the capacitor 500. In some implementations, the magnet 502may have dimensions of approximately 1 inch×1 inch and a thickness ofabout 1/10 of an inch. Such a magnet 502 may be curved such that themagnet 502 is configured to interface with an inner wall of the case 560of the capacitor 500 (e.g., interior to the case 560).

As described in more detail below, in some implementations, the magnet502 (e.g., the curved magnet) may be positioned exterior to the case 560of the capacitor 500. In some implementations, a first surface of themagnet 502 may be curved such that the first surface of the magnet 502interfaces with an exterior wall of the case 560 of the capacitor 500,and a second surface opposite of the first surface may have asubstantially flat shape that is configured to interface with a flatsurface of a separate object (e.g., a surface or wall of an airconditioning system). In some implementations, multiple curved magnets502 may be provided in one or more of the configurations describedherein (e.g., including multiple curved magnets, a curved and anon-curved magnet, etc.).

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may run along (e.g., makecontinuous contact) with the full perimeter of the side wall 562 of thecase 560. That is, the magnet 502 may have a sleeve shape with adiameter that is slightly less than a diameter of the capacitor 500. Inthis way, substantially all of the side wall 562 of the case 560 of thecapacitor 500 may be magnetic such that the user can affix any portionof the side wall 562 of the capacitor 500 to a magnetic surface (e.g.,without needing to rotate the capacitor 500 to find a surface that is inline with the magnet 502, as may be the case in implementations in whicha magnet 502 having a strip shape is used).

The particular shape and/or dimensions of the magnet 502 may be chosento achieve the desired strength of magnetic attraction. For example, themagnet 502 may be designed with a particular shape and/or largerdimensions and/or larger thicknesses to achieve a relatively higherstrength of magnetic attraction with a magnetic surface. In someimplementations, increased surface area of the magnet 502 toward theside wall 562 of the case 560 of the capacitor 500 may increase thestrength of magnetic attraction.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 has a strength of approximately30-40 milliTeslas (mT) or a strength of approximately 65-75 mT. In someimplementations, the strength of magnetic attraction can be increased bystacking multiple magnets 502 (e.g., one beside the other). In someimplementations, two stacked magnets 502 can have a strength ofapproximately 70-80 mT, 60-80 mT, or 130-150 mT, although other rangesare also possible. In some implementations, the magnet 502 may be aD40×4 ferrite ceramic magnet manufactured by Hangzhou Honesun MagnetCo., Ltd.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may be magnetized using one ormore of a plurality of techniques. For example, in some implementations,the magnet 502 may be magnetized such that a north and a south pole ofthe magnet 502 is located at a particular position of the magnet 502.For example, the techniques for magnetizing the magnet 502 may cause thenorth and/or south pole to be located at various thicknesses of themagnet 502, etc. In some implementations, the magnet 502 may be amulti-pole magnet.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 is a permanent magnet that ismade from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistentmagnetic field. For example, the magnet 502 may be made from aferromagnetic material that can be magnetized, such as iron, nickel,cobalt, and/or an alloy of rare-earth metals, among others. In someimplementations, the magnet 502 is a ferrite and/or ceramic magnet. Insome implementations, the magnet 502 may include one or more of ferricoxide, iron oxide, barium, barium carbonate, strontium, and/or strontiumcarbonate. The magnet 502 may include one or more magnetically “hard”materials (e.g., materials that tend to stay magnetized). Alternativelyor additionally, the magnet 502 may include one or more magnetically“soft” materials.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may be a rare-earth magnet. Arare-earth magnet is typically a relatively strong permanent magnet thatis made from one or more alloys of rare-earth elements. Example ofrare-earth elements that can be used in a rare-earth magnet includeelements in the lanthanide series, scandium, and yttrium, although otherelements may also or alternatively be used. In some implementations, therare-earth magnet may produce a magnetic field of greater than 1.0 T. Insome implementations, the rare-earth magnet may include one or both ofsamarium-cobalt and neodymium.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may be made from one or moreceramic compounds (e.g., ferrite) that can be produced by combining ironoxide and one or more metallic elements. In some implementations, suchceramic compounds may be electrically nonconductive. The use of suchceramic compounds for the magnet 502 may eliminate the inclusion ofelectrically conductive elements in the capacitor 500 that may otherwiseaffect the operation of the capacitor 500.

In some implementations, the magnet 502 may have a grade thatcorresponds to a particular standard (e.g., a National and/orInternational standard). In some implementations, the grade of themagnet 502 corresponds to the Chinese ferrite magnet nomenclaturesystem. For example, in some implementations, the magnet 502 is gradeY10 T, Y25, Y30, Y33, Y35, Y30BH, or Y33BH, although other grades arealso possible. In some implementations, the grade corresponds to aworking temperature of 250° C. In some implementations, the grade of themagnet 502 corresponds to a Feroba, an American (e.g., “C”), or aEuropean (e.g., “HF”) grading standard.

While the capacitor 500 shown in the illustrated example includes onemagnet 502, additional magnets may also be provided. For example, aplurality of magnets 502 may be positioned proximate to the side wall562 of the case 560 of the capacitor 500. The plurality of magnets 502may have dimensions that are relatively smaller than dimensions that maybe chosen for implementations in which only a single magnet 502 is used.The plurality of magnets 502 may have dimensions substantially similarto dimensions of a watch battery, such as a CR2032 battery. Theplurality of magnets 502 may be positioned at various locationsproximate to the side wall 562 of the case 560. For example, theplurality of magnets 502 may be arranged in a ring around a perimeter ofthe side wall 562 such that the plurality of magnets 502 are spacedapproximately equidistant from one another. In some implementations, theplurality of magnets 502 may be arranged in groups of two, three, etc.magnets 502. Any number of magnets 502 may be provided to achieve thedesired strength of magnetic attraction.

Like the magnet 402 described above with respect to FIG. 31 , the magnet502 illustrated in FIG. 32 can also be an electromagnet that includes acore and a coil wrapped around the core, in which the materials,dimensions, configuration, and/or operating characteristics of theelectromagnet can be chosen to achieve the desired strength of magneticattraction.

In some implementations, the capacitors 400, 500 may be configured toaccept the magnet 402, 502 after manufacture of the capacitor 400, 500.For example, the capacitor 400, 500 may include one or more movablesurfaces (e.g., doors or compartments) that can be opened by the usersuch that the user can place the magnet 402, 502 inside the capacitor400, 500. In this way, the user can add and/or remove the magnet 402,502 if magnetic attraction is desired or on longer desired. Further, theuser can add additional magnets or remove magnets if a lesser strengthof magnetic attraction is desired. For example, if a surface to whichthe capacitor 400, 500 is mounted is highly magnetic, the strength ofmagnetic attraction provided by the configuration of the magnets 402,502 may be excessive. As such, the user can remove one or more of themagnets 402, 502 from the capacitor 400, 500 until the desired strengthof magnetic attraction is achieved. On the other hand, if a surface towhich the capacitor 400, 500 is mounted is relatively non-magnetic, thestrength of magnetic attraction provided by the configuration of themagnets 402, 502 may be too low. As such, the user can add one or moreadditional magnets to the capacitor 400, 500 until the desired strengthof magnetic attraction is achieved.

In some implementations, a bottom end of the capacitor 400 (e.g., anarea proximate to and including the bottom wall 464 of the case 460) maybe removable from the rest of the case 460 of the capacitor. In someimplementations, the bottom end of the capacitor 400 may be attached bythreading such that the bottom end of the capacitor 400 may be removedby twisting the bottom end of the capacitor 400 away from the rest ofthe case 460. Removing the bottom end of the capacitor 400 may reveal acompartment within which the magnet 400 (and, e.g., additional magnets)can be placed and/or removed. In some implementations, the side wall 562of the case 560 of the capacitor 500 may include a slidable and/orotherwise openable door that reveals a compartment of the capacitor 500within which the magnet 502 (and, e.g., additional magnets) can beplaced and/or removed.

In some implementations, the case 460, 560 of the capacitor 400, 500 maybe made from a magnetic material (e.g., a metallic material). The magnet402, 502 may be held in place at least in part by magnetic attractionbetween the magnet 402, 502 and the case 460, 560. For example, themagnet 402 may be magnetically attracted to the bottom wall 464 of thecase 460 of the capacitor 400, and the magnet 502 may be magneticallyattracted to the side wall 562 of the case 560 of the capacitor 500. Insome implementations, the case 460, 560 may be made from a non-magneticmaterial such as a plastic material. In such implementations, one ormore other mechanisms or techniques may be used to fix the magnet 402,502 in place, as described below.

In some implementations, the magnet 402, 502 may be affixed to a surfaceof the capacitor 400, 500 by one or more mounting mechanisms. Forexample, one or more brackets may be used to affix the magnet 402 to thebottom wall 464 of the case 460. In some implementations, a bracket maybe positioned around a surface of the magnet 402, and one or morefasteners may be used to affix the bracket against the bottom wall 464of the case 460. Similarly, one or more brackets may be used to affixthe magnet 502 to the side wall 562 of the case 560. In someimplementations, a bracket may be positioned around a surface of themagnet 502, and one or more fasteners may be used to affix the bracketagainst the side wall 562 of the case 560. In some implementations, anadhesive may be used to affix the magnet 402, 502 to the bottom wall 464of the case 460 and/or the bottom cup 470 and the side wall 562 of thecase 560.

In some implementations, the magnet 402, 502 may be held sufficiently inplace by being wedged between the bottom wall 464 of the case 460 andthe bottom cup 470, or by being wedged between the side wall 562 of thecase 560 and other components of the capacitor 500. In someimplementations, magnetic attraction between the magnet 402, 502 andother components of the capacitor 400, 500 (e.g., the case 460, 560) mayassist in holding the magnet 402, 502 in place.

In some implementations, the magnet 402, 502 may be held in place atleast in part by an epoxy. For example, once the magnet 402, 502 ispositioned at its desired position within the case 460, 560 of thecapacitor 400, 500, an epoxy can be introduced in proximity to themagnet 402, 502. Upon curing, the epoxy can provide sufficient strengthfor holding the magnet 402, 502 in its desired mounting location.

In some implementations, a cutout (e.g., a recess) may be provided inwhich the magnet 402, 502 can be seated (e.g., to assist in holding themagnet 402, 502 in place at its desired mounting location). The cutoutmay be provided in the case 460, 560 of the capacitor 400, 500 and/or inthe bottom cup 470 of the capacitor 400. The cutout may provide a ridgethat surrounds a perimeter of the magnet 402, 502 to keep the magnet402, 502 in place. In this way, the magnet 402, 502 is prevented fromsliding to other locations within the case 460, 560 of the capacitor400, 500.

While the magnets 402, 502 have been illustrated as being positionedwithin the case 460, 560 of the capacitor 400, 500, in someimplementations, the magnet 402, 502 may be mounted to an exterior ofthe case 460, 560. For example, in some implementations, the magnet 402may be mounted to a bottom surface of the bottom wall 464 of the case460 of the capacitor 400. The magnet 402 may have a shape thatsubstantially matches the shape of the bottom surface of the bottom wall464. In this way, when the capacitor 400 is mounted to a magnetic object(e.g., an air conditioning system), the capacitor 400 can be positionedflush with the surface of the object. Similarly, in someimplementations, the magnet 502 may be mounted to an outside surface ofthe side wall 562 of the case 560 of the capacitor 500. In someexamples, the magnet 502 may be wrapped around or substantially aroundthe outside surface of the side wall 562 of the case 560 such thatsubstantially all outside surfaces of the case 560 are magnetic. Themagnet 402, 502 may be mounted using one or more mounting mechanisms(e.g., brackets), an adhesive, an epoxy, one or more fasteners, etc. Forexample, one or more brackets may be used to mount the magnet 402, 502in an interior of the case 460, 560 or at an exterior of the case 460,560. In some implementations, the magnet 402, 502 may be a magnetic filmthat is applied to a portion of the case 460, 560 of the capacitor 400,500. For example, the magnet 402, 502 may be a magnetic film applied tothe exterior of the case 460, 560.

In some implementations, the magnet 402, 502 may have a thickness ofapproximately 4 mm. For example, in implementations in which the magnet402 is mounted to the bottom surface of the bottom wall 464 of the case460 of the capacitor 400, a width of approximately 4 mm for the magnet402 may provide sufficient strength of magnetic attraction withoutmaking the capacitor 400 unwieldy (e.g., by adding excessive height tothe capacitor 400). Therefore, the capacitor 400 does not take upexcessive volume at its mounting location (e.g., at or within an airconditioning system).

In some implementations, one or more portions of the case 460, 560 ofthe capacitor 400, 500 are themselves magnetic, and/or the bottom cup70, 470 is magnetic. For example, the capacitor 400, 500 may be designedsuch that the case 460, 560 is made from a magnetic material. In thisway, the capacitor 400, 500 can be mounted in a variety ofconfigurations as required for the particular application. For example,the bottom wall 464 of the case 460 of the capacitor 400 and/or thebottom cup 70, 470 of the capacitor 400 may be made from a magneticmaterial such that the bottom wall 464 of the capacitor 400 can bemagnetically attracted to a magnetic object, and/or the side wall 562 ofthe case 560 of the capacitor 500 may be made from a magnetic materialsuch that the side wall 562 of the capacitor 500 may be magneticallyattracted to a magnetic object.

While the magnets 402, 502 have been illustrated and described asbelonging to different capacitors 400, 500, in some implementations, themagnet 402 of FIG. 31 and/or the magnet 502 of FIG. 32 may beincorporated into other capacitors described herein. For example, insome implementations, the magnet 502 may also be incorporated into thecapacitor 400 (e.g., instead of or in addition to the magnet 402), andvice versa. In some implementations, one or both of the magnet 402 andthe magnet 502 may be incorporated into the capacitor 10 and/or thecapacitor 200 and/or the capacitor 300.

While many implementations have been described above (e.g., such as theimplementations described with respect to FIGS. 31 and 32 ), otherimplementations are also possible. In some implementations, thecapacitors described herein (e.g., the capacitor 10, 200, 300, 400,and/or 500) may include multiple stacked magnets toward the bottom ofthe capacitor (e.g., similar to the capacitor 400 of FIG. 31 , and asdescribed above, between the bottom wall 464 of the case 460 and thebottom cup 470). For example, two magnets having a circular shape (e.g.disk shape) may be stacked on top of each other such that the centers ofthe two magnets are in alignment. In some implementations, the twomagnets may be made from one or more ceramic compounds (e.g., ferrite),for example, which can be produced by combining iron oxide and one ormore metallic elements.

In some implementations (e.g., in addition to implementations thatinclude the two stacked magnets described above), multiple magnets maybe provided at the side wall of the capacitor (e.g., the side wall 62,562 of the capacitor 400, 500). For example, two magnets may be providedinside the side wall 62, 562 of the capacitor 400, 500. The two magnetsmay have a curved shape (e.g., as described above). In someimplementations, each of the curved magnets may be configured tointerface with an inner wall of the case 460, 560. In someimplementations, the curved magnets may have dimensions of approximately1 inch×1 inch and a thickness of approximately 1/10 of an inch. In someimplementations, the two curved magnets are stacked vertically. Forexample, a first curved magnet may be provided at a first height betweenthe side wall 62, 562 of the capacitor 400, 500 and the capacitiveelement 12, and a second curved magnet may be provided at a secondheight (e.g., above or below the first height) between the side wall 62,562 of the capacitor 400, 500 and the capacitive element 12. In someimplementations, each of the curved magnets may run around a fullcircumference of the side wall 62, 562 of the capacitor 400, 500 (e.g.,such that the magnets have a ring or sleeve shape). In someimplementations, one of the magnets may run around a full circumferencewhile the other magnet runs around less than an entirety (e.g., aportion) of the circumference. In yet additional implementations, bothof the magnets may run around less than an entire circumference (e.g., aportion of the circumference of the side wall 62, 562). In someimplementations, the two curved magnets are positioned at the samevertical height along the length of the side wall 62, 562. In suchimplementations, the two curved magnets may each run less than theentire circumference of the side wall 62, 562. In some implementations,one or both of the two curved magnets may be a rare-earth magnet thatincludes neodymium.

In some implementations, one or both of the magnets placed inside theside wall 62, 562 may be positioned between an inside surface of theside wall 62, 562 and a portion of the bottom cup 70, 470. For example,one or both of the curved magnets may be positioned between the sidewall 62, 562 and the up-turned skirt 74 that embraces the lower sidewall of the cylindrical capacitive element 12 and spaces it from theside wall 62, 562 of the case 460, 560. In some implementations, theup-turned skirt 74 may run further up the side wall 62, 562 anadditional length than what is illustrated in the figures (e.g., inFIGS. 31 and 32 ). The multiple curved magnets may be stacked verticallyor located at the same vertical height in a manner similar to thatdescribed above.

In some implementations, a liner may be positioned between the twocurved magnets and the capacitive element 12. For example, inimplementations in which the curved magnets are not positioned betweenthe side wall 62, 562 and the up-turned skirt 74, a liner may be appliedover one or both of the curved magnets to separate the curved magnetsfrom the capacitive element 12. The liner may include a non-conductivematerial or any other material suitable for separating the magnets fromthe capacitive element 12 (e.g., for minimizing effects of the magnet onthe performance of the capacitive element 12 and/or other components).In some implementations, the liner is a plastic adhesive material thatcan be applied over a surface of one or both of the curved magnets toseparate the curved magnets from other components of the capacitor 400,500. In some implementations, the liner can assist in holding the one orboth of the curved magnets in place at the side wall 62, 562 of thecapacitor 400, 500.

In some implementations, one or both of the two curved magnets may bepositioned between the bottom cup 70, 470 of the capacitor 400, 500 andthe bottom wall 64, 464 of the capacitor 400, 500. For example, one orboth of the curved magnets may be placed in a position between thebottom cup 470 and the bottom wall 464 of the capacitor 400 shown inFIG. 31 . The curved magnets may be placed instead of or in addition tothe magnet 402 of FIG. 31 . The one or both of the curved magnets may bepositioned in one or more of the configurations described in thepreceding paragraphs. For example, the two curved magnets may be stackedvertically (e.g., one on top of the other, with the two curved magnetsoptionally making contact with one another) or the two curved magnetsmay be positioned at the same vertical height of the capacitor 400, 500(e.g., such that each of the curved magnets runs along less than anentire circumference of the side wall 62, 562, or such that each of thecurved magnets runs along half of the circumference of the side wall 62,562 such that the sides of the two magnets make contact with eachother). As mentioned above, one or more of the curved magnets may be arare-earth magnet that include neodymium, while the disk shaped magnetsmay be made from one or more ceramic compounds (e.g., ferrite), althoughother materials are also possible. In some implementations, theneodymium curved magnets may have a relative higher (e.g., asubstantially higher) degree of magnetic attraction as compared to thatof the disk shaped ceramic magnets.

While the various disc shapes magnets and curved magnets have largelybeen described as being placed inside of the case 460, 560 of thecapacitor 400, 500, in some implementations, one or more of the magnetsdescribed herein may be placed outside of the case 460, 560. Forexample, one or more of the disk shaped magnets may be positioned on abottom (e.g., outside) surface of the bottom wall 64, 464 of the case460, 560. The magnets may be affixed to the outside of the case 460, 560by the strength of magnetic attraction. In some implementations, one ormore mounting mechanisms (e.g., brackets), an adhesive, an epoxy, one ormore fasteners, etc. may be used to assist in mounting the magnets tothe outside of the case 460, 560. For example, one or more brackets maybe used to mount the one or more magnets to the exterior of the case460, 560. In some implementations, a liner (e.g., such as the linerdescribed above) may be used to assist in mounting the one or moremagnets to the case 460, 560.

Similarly, one or more of the curved magnets may be positioned on anoutside surface of the side wall, 62, 562 of the case 460, 560. Themagnets may be affixed to the outside of the case 460, 560 by thestrength of magnetic attraction. In some implementations, one or moremounting mechanisms (e.g., brackets), an adhesive, an epoxy, one or morefasteners, etc. may be used to assist in mounting the magnets to theoutside of the case 460, 560. For example, one or more brackets may beused to mount the one or more magnets to the exterior of the case 460,560. In some implementations, a liner (e.g., such as the liner describedabove) may be used to assist in mounting the one or more magnets to thecase 460, 560.

While the curved magnets have been described as having a curved shapethat substantially interfaces with the side wall 62, 562 of the case460, 560, in some implementations, a first wall of one or more of thecurved magnets may have a curved shape that interfaces with the sidewall 62, 562 of the case 460, 560, and an opposite wall (e.g., a wallopposite of the curved wall of the one or more magnet) may have asubstantially flat shape. The substantially flat shape may allow thecase 460, 560 to interface with a flat surface of a separate object(e.g., an air conditioning system). For example, in someimplementations, one or more of the curved magnets may be positioned onan exterior of the side wall 62, 562 of the case 460, 560 (e.g., asdescribed above). The opposite surface of the curved magnet may have aflat shape that can substantially interface with a flatmagnetically-attractive surface, such as a metal wall of an airconditioning unit or system. The flat shape of the opposite surface ofthe one or more magnets may allow the capacitor 400, 500 to create asufficient magnetic bond with the air conditioning unit or system, suchthat the capacitor cannot become inadvertently dislodged or misalignedfrom its intended mounting position.

In some implementations, one or more of the curved magnets may beconfigured to interface with both an outside of the side wall 62, 562 ofthe capacitor 400, 500 and the bottom wall 64, 464 of the capacitor 400,500. For example, one or more of the curved magnets may include at leastfive relevant surfaces: a first curved surface (e.g., inside surface)that is configured to interface with the outside surface of the sidewall 62, 562, a second flat surface (e.g., inside surface) that isconfigured to interface with the bottom wall 64, 464, and threeadditional flat surfaces (e.g., outside surfaces) that are configured tointerface with one or more mounting location (e.g., of one or moresurfaces of an air conditioning unit or system). The inside surfaces canallow the magnet to make intimate contact with the case 460, 560 of thecapacitor 400, 500, thereby allowing the one or more magnets to maintaincontact with the capacitor 400, 500 using one or more of the techniquesdescribed above. The three outside surfaces may allow the one or moremagnets to make intimate contact with a mounting location, such as acorner mounting location that allows a bottom outside surface of themagnet to interface with a bottom mounting location, a first sideoutside surface perpendicular to the bottom outside surface to interfacewith a side mounting location, and a second side outside surfaceperpendicular to the bottom outside surface and the first side surfaceto interface with another side mounting location, thereby allowing thecapacitor 400, 500 to be mounted in a corner target area while beingplaced on a bottom surface of the target area.

In some implementations, the magnet may include two outside surfaces(e.g., without a bottom outside surface) that allows the capacitor 400,500 to be mounted in a corner target area without the capacitor 400, 500necessarily being placed on (e.g., magnetically attracted to) a bottomsurface of the mounting area. In this way, the capacitor 400, 500 can bemounted to a corner target area of an air conditioning unit or systemwhile being suspended (e.g., without being placed on a bottom surface ofthe mounting area).

As described above, in some implementations, one or more of the curvedmagnets may be a rare-earth magnet that include neodymium, while thedisk shaped magnets may be made from one or more ceramic compounds(e.g., ferrite), although it should be understood that other materialscan additional or alternatively be used for any of the magnets describedherein. In some implementations, the neodymium curved magnets may have arelatively higher (e.g., a substantially higher) degree of magneticattraction as compared to that of the disk shaped ceramic magnets. Sucha configuration may, for example, provide additional magnetic mountingstrength for implementations in which the capacitor 400, 500 is sidemounted (e.g., mounted to a side surface of a target mounting locationwithout the bottom wall 64, 464 of the case 460, 560 making contact witha bottom surface of the mounting location), sometimes referred to hereinas a suspended mounting configuration. The relatively higher degree ofmagnetic attraction provided by one or more of the curved magnets mayallow the capacitor 400, 500 to be mounted in such configurationswithout becoming dislodged or misplaced from the target location. Forexample, the relatively higher degree of magnetic attraction may preventthe capacitor 400, 500 from sliding down a wall of the mounting locationdue to the effects of gravity. In contrast, in implementations in whichthe bottom wall 64, 464 of the capacitor 400, 500 is mounted to a bottomsurface of the target mounting location (e.g., on a bottom surface of anair conditioning unit or system), such additional strength of magneticattraction may not be necessary to maintain the capacitor 400, 500 inproper mounting configuration. Nonetheless, additional curved magnetsmay also be included to provide additional and/or redundant magneticattraction for mounting purposes.

FIGS. 33A-C show an example of a capacitor 3300 and a magnet 3302mounted to an outside surface of the capacitor 3300. In particular, FIG.33A shows a curved magnet 3302 that is mounted to an outside surface ofa side wall 3362 of a case 3312 of the capacitor 3300 by a fastener. Inthe illustrated example, the fastener is a cable tie 3306 (e.g., a ziptie). When the magnet 3302 is in a mounted position (e.g., as shown inFIG. 33A), a portion of the cable tie 3306 resides in an elongatedrecess 3304 of the magnet 3302. The recess 3304 is configured to acceptthe portion of the cable tie 3306 and prevent the magnet 3302 fromsliding upward or downward and out from underneath the cable tie 3306. Aremainder of the cable tie 3306 wraps around an outer circumference ofthe case 3312 and applies an inward radial force to the magnet 3302,thereby holding the magnet 3302 in place on the outside surface of theside wall 3362 of the case 3312. In some implementations, the magnet3302 may additionally be affixed to the case 3312 with the assistance ofmagnetic attraction. For example, the case 3312 may be made from amaterial that is magnetically attractive, and additional mountingstrength can be provided by the strength of magnetic attraction betweenthe magnet 3302 and the case 3312.

Referring to FIGS. 33B and 33C, the magnet 3302 includes the elongatedrecess 3304 that provides a track in which a portion of the cable tie3306 may reside. In the illustrated example, the recess 3304 includes aplurality of grooves that interface with the cable tie 3306 when thecable tie 3306 is positioned therein.

The magnet 3302 also includes an inner curved surface 3308 that isconfigured to interface with the side wall 3362 of the case 3312, and anopposite outer flat surface 3310 (e.g., opposite to the curved surface3308) that has a substantially flat shape. The flat surface 3310 canallow the case 3312 to interface with a surface (e.g., a substantiallyflat surface) of a separate object, such as an air conditioning system.For example, in some implementations, the magnet 3302 may be positionedon the exterior of the side wall 3362 of the case 3312 (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 33A). The flat surface 3310 of the magnet 3302 caninterface with a magnetically-attractive surface, such as a metal wallof an air conditioning unit or system. The strength of magneticattraction between the flat surface 3310 and the magnetically-attractivesurface may allow the capacitor 3300 to create a sufficient magneticbond with the air conditioning unit or system such that the capacitor3300 cannot become inadvertently dislodged or misaligned from itsintended mounting position.

While the magnet 3302 is illustrated as being mounted directly to thecase 3312 in FIG. 33A, in some implementations, one or more structuresmay be included to assist with and/or facilitate the mounting. Forexample, in some implementations, one or more mount-assist structuresmay be interfaced between the exterior of the side wall 3362 of the case3312 and the magnet 3302. The structure(s) may interface with theexterior of the side wall 3362 of the case 3312 via one or morerecesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. that are provided onthe case 3312 and/or the structure. For example, one or more recesses,grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may be incorporated into aninner surface of the structure and configured to interface with the case3312. In some implementations, corresponding (e.g., complementing,inverse, mirror, etc.) recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc.on the case 3312 are also or alternatively provided to assist with theinterfacing. For example, the case 3312 may include a recess that isconfigured to accept the inner surface of the mount-assist structure.The structure may include a curved surface that interfaces with the case3312 (e.g., similar to the curved surface 3308 of the magnet 3302). Suchrecesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may assist inmaintaining the structure in place (e.g., by guiding the structure intoa particular position on the exterior of the side wall 3362 of the case3312).

Similarly, the magnet 3302 may interface with an outer surface of themount-assist structure (e.g., a surface that is opposite to the innersurface that interfaces with the case 3312) via one or more recesses,grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. that are provided on thestructure and/or the magnet 3302. For example, one or more recesses,grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may be incorporated into theouter surface of the structure and configured to interface with themagnet 3302. In some implementations, corresponding (e.g.,complementing, inverse, mirror, etc.) recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots,patterns, etc. on the magnet 3302 are also or alternatively provided toassist with the interfacing. For example, the mount-assist structure mayinclude a recess that is configured to accept the magnet 3302. In someimplementations, a magnet other than the magnet 3302 illustrated inFIGS. 33A-C may be used. For example, a rectangular magnet with flatsides may be used. In this way, the structure may include a rectangularrecess with a flat surface that is sized and shaped to match therectangular magnet, and the rectangular magnet may be configured to fitinto the recess. Such recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc.may assist in maintaining the magnet in place (e.g., by guiding themagnet into a particular position on the mount-assist structure, andthus into a particular position with respect to the exterior of the sidewall 3362 of the case 3312). In some implementations, one or morematerials (e.g., adhesive, epoxy, etc.) can be used to assist inaffixing the structure(s) to the case 3312 and/or the magnet to thestructure(s).

In some implementations, rather than one or more mount-assist structuresbeing used to facilitate the mounting of the magnet 3302 (or a differentmagnet) to the case 3312, one or more of the recess, groove, cutout,slot, pattern, etc. techniques described above may be applied to thecase 3312 and/or the magnet 3302 directly to assist with the mounting.For example, one or more recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns,etc. may be incorporated into the exterior of the side wall 3362 of thecase 3312 and configured to interface with the magnet 3302. In someimplementations, corresponding (e.g., complementing, inverse, mirror,etc.) recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. on the magnet3302 are also or alternatively provided to assist with the interfacing.For example, the exterior of the side wall 3362 of the case 3312 mayinclude a recess that is configured to accept the magnet 3302. In someimplementations, the recess may be sized and shaped to accept the curvedsurface 3308 of the magnet 3302 such that the magnet 3302 resides atleast partially within the recess. Such recesses, grooves, cutouts,slots, patterns, etc. may assist in maintaining the magnet 3302 in place(e.g., by guiding the magnet 3302 into a particular position on theexterior of the side wall 3362 of the case 3312). In someimplementations, one or more materials (e.g., adhesive, epoxy, etc.) canbe used to assist in affixing the magnet 3302 to the case 3312.

Similarly, in some implementations, one or more of the recess, groove,cutout, slot, pattern, etc. techniques described above may be applied toanother surface of the magnet 3302 (e.g., the flat surface 3310 of themagnet 3302) to assist with interfacing the magnet 3302 with the surfaceof the separate object (e.g., the air conditioning system). For example,one or more recesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may beincorporated into the flat surface 3310 of the magnet 3302 andconfigured to interface with the surface of the air conditioning system.As described above, the strength of magnetic attraction between themagnet 3302 and a magnetically-attractive surface of the airconditioning system may improve the bond between the two. However, insome implementations, the inclusion of one or more recesses, grooves,cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may improve the integrity of theinterface between the magnet 3302 and the surface and therefore minimizethe need to rely on any magnetic attraction to assist with theinterface. In this way, in some implementations, the magnet 3302 (andthe capacitor 3300) may be mounted to surfaces that have little or nomagnetic attraction to the magnet 3302. In some implementations,corresponding (e.g., complementing, inverse, mirror, etc.) recesses,grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. on the mounting surface (e.g.,of the air conditioning system) can also or alternatively be provided toassist with the interfacing. For example, the mounting surface mayinclude a recess that is configured to accept the magnet 3302. In someimplementations, the recess may be sized and shaped to accept the flatsurface 3310 of the magnet 3302 such that the magnet 3302 resides atleast partially within the recess. Such recesses, grooves, cutouts,slots, patterns, etc. may assist in maintaining the magnet 3302 in place(e.g., by guiding the magnet 3302 into a particular position on themounting surface of the air conditioning system). In someimplementations, one or more materials (e.g., adhesive, epoxy, etc.) canbe used to assist in affixing the magnet 3302 to the mounting surface,although it should be understood that such materials are not necessary.Further, it should be understood that the recess, groove, cutout, slot,pattern, etc. techniques described above can be implemented in additionto the cable tie 3306 or, in some cases, without the cable tie 3306 toassist in the mounting.

In some implementations, the magnet 3302 may be mounted toward a middleportion of the capacitor 3300 (e.g., toward the middle in an axialdirection) as shown in FIG. 33A. However, in some implementations, themagnet 3302 may be mounted elsewhere. For example, in someimplementations, the magnet 3302 may be mounted toward a top portion ora bottom portion of the capacitor 3300.

FIGS. 34A-C show another example of a capacitor 3400 and a magnet 3402that is mounted toward a bottom portion of the capacitor 3400. In someimplementations, one or more of the capacitors described herein mayinclude one or more relays (e.g., potential relays, control relays,electronic relays, etc.). One or more relays may be incorporated intoone or more of the capacitors described herein, for example, to allowthe capacitor to operate as a hard start capacitor. Such capacitors aresometimes referred to as “start” capacitors, “hard start” capacitors,“easy start” capacitors, “motor start” capacitors, etc. A relay may beaccommodated above a capacitor container of the capacitors describedherein, for example, within a projected cylindrical envelope. In someimplementations, capacitor may be configured to accept a cylindrical capthat can surround and cover the relay.

In some implementations, operations of the relay may be affected bymagnetic fields in the vicinity of the relay. In particular, the magnetsdescribed herein may alter the magnetic field around the relay and causethe relay to operate in a manner that is undesirable. In someimplementations, the positioning of the magnet 3402 toward the bottomportion of the capacitor 3400 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 34A) and away fromthe relay mounted toward the top portion of the capacitor 3400 mayminimize the impact of the magnetic field created by the magnet 3402 onthe operation of the relay, thereby allowing the relay to operate asintended.

The magnet 3402 illustrated in FIGS. 34A-C may be similar to the magnet3302 illustrated in FIGS. 33A-C. For example, the magnet 3402 is acurved magnet 3402 that is mounted to an outside surface of a side wall3462 of a case 3412 of the capacitor 3400 by a cable tie 3406. When themagnet 3402 is in a mounted position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 34A), aportion of the cable tie 3406 resides in an elongated recess 3404 of themagnet 3402. The recess 3404 is configured to accept the portion of thecable tie 3406 and assist in preventing the magnet 3402 from slidingupward or downward and out from underneath the cable tie 3406. Aremainder of the cable tie 3406 wraps around an outer circumference ofthe case 3412 and applies an inward radial force to the magnet 3402,thereby holding the magnet 3402 in place on the outside surface of theside wall 3462 of the case 3412. In some implementations, the magnet3402 may additionally be affixed to the case 3412 with the assistance ofmagnetic attraction. For example, the case 3412 may be made from amaterial that is magnetically attractive, and additional mountingstrength can be provided by the strength of magnetic attraction betweenthe magnet 3402 and the case 3412.

Referring to FIGS. 34B and 34C, the magnet 3402 includes the elongatedrecess 3404 that provides a track in which a portion of the cable tie3406 may reside. In the illustrated example, the recess 3404 includes aplurality of grooves that interface with the cable tie 3406 when thecable tie 3406 is positioned therein.

The magnet 3402 also includes an inner curved surface 3408 that isconfigured to interface with the side wall 3462 of the case 3412, and anopposite outer flat surface 3410 (e.g., opposite to the curved surface3408) that has a substantially flat shape. The flat surface 3410 canallow the case 3412 to interface with a surface (e.g., a substantiallyflat surface) of a separate object, such as an air conditioning system.For example, in some implementations, the magnet 3402 may be positionedon the exterior of the side wall 3462 of the case 3412 (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 34A). The flat surface 3410 of the magnet 3402 caninterface with a magnetically-attractive surface, such as a metal wallof an air conditioning unit or system. The strength of magneticattraction between the flat surface 3410 and the magnetically-attractivesurface may allow the capacitor 3400 to create a sufficient magneticbond with the air conditioning unit or system such that the capacitor3400 cannot become inadvertently dislodged or misaligned from itsintended mounting position.

In the illustrated example, the magnet 3402 also includes a projection3414 toward a bottom portion of the magnet 3402 that is configured toassist in holding the magnet 3402 in place at an intended mountedlocation on the case 3412 of the capacitor 3400. In someimplementations, the projection 3414 may be provided as a separateportion of the magnet 3402 such that the magnet includes at least twoseparate pieces that are attached (e.g., by one or more of an adhesive,a mounting structure, magnetic attraction, etc.). In other words, themagnet 3402 may not be formed of a single monolithic piece. Theprojection 3414 may be formed as a lip (e.g., a tab or shelf) thatextends horizontally, thereby creating a bottom surface of the magnet3402 that has an area that is larger than a horizontal cross section ofthe rest of the magnet 3402. Referring to FIG. 34A in particular, themagnet 3402 may be mounted toward the bottom portion of the case 3412such that the projection 3414 resides beneath a bottom surface of thecase 3412 of the capacitor 3400. The projection 3414 can prevent themagnet 3402 from sliding upward and out from underneath the cable tie3406.

Like the capacitor 3300 and magnet 3302 described with respect to FIGS.33A-C, the capacitor 3400 and magnet 3402 illustrated in FIGS. 34A-C mayalso employ one or more structures to assist with and/or facilitate themounting. For example, one or more mount-assist structures may beinterfaced between the exterior of the side wall 3462 and/or a bottomwall of the case 3412 and the magnet 3402. Further, one or morerecesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may be provided on thecase 3412, the magnet 3402, and/or the mount-assist structure to assistwith interfacing between the various components, in a manner similar tothat described above. Similarly, one or more of the recess, groove,cutout, slot, pattern, etc. techniques described above may be applied toanother surface of the magnet 3402 (e.g., the flat surface 3410 of themagnet 3402) to assist with interfacing the magnet 3402 with a surfaceof a separate object (e.g., the air conditioning system). In someimplementations, one or more materials (e.g., adhesive, epoxy, etc.) maybe used to assist in affixing the magnet 3402 to the case 3412 and/orthe magnet 3402 to a mounting surface. For example, an epoxy may beplaced between the magnet 3402 and an exterior of a bottom surface ofthe case 3412 and/or the exterior of the side wall 3462 of the case3412.

FIG. 35 shows another example of a magnet 3502 that (e.g., like themagnet 3402 of FIGS. 34A-C) is configured for mounting toward a bottomportion of a capacitor. As described above, in some implementations, oneor more of the capacitors described herein may include one or morerelays (e.g., potential relays, control relays, electronic relays,etc.). A relay may be included toward a top portion of the capacitor. Insome implementations, operations of the relay may be affected bymagnetic fields in the vicinity of the relay. In particular, the magnetsdescribed herein may alter the magnetic field around the relay and causethe relay to operate in a manner that is undesirable. In someimplementations, the positioning of the magnet 3502 toward the bottomportion of the capacitor away from the relay situated toward the topportion of the capacitor may minimize the impact of the magnetic fieldcreated by the magnet 3502 on the operation of the relay, therebyallowing the relay to operate as intended.

The magnet 3502 illustrated in FIG. 35 may be similar to the magnet 3402illustrated in FIGS. 34A-C. For example, the magnet 3502 includes acurved portion and is configured to be mounted to an outside surface ofa side wall of a case of a capacitor (e.g., the capacitor 3400 of FIGS.34A-C or a similar capacitor) by a cable tie or other structure. Whenthe magnet 3502 is in a mounted position, a portion of the cable tie mayreside in an elongated recess 3504 of the magnet 3502. The recess 3504is configured to accept the portion of the cable tie and assist inpreventing the magnet 3502 from sliding upward or downward and out fromunderneath the cable tie. A remainder of the cable tie can wrap aroundan outer circumference of the capacitor and apply an inward radial forceto the magnet 3502, thereby holding the magnet 3502 in place on theoutside surface of the side wall of the case of the capacitor. In someimplementations, the magnet 3502 may additionally be affixed to thecapacitor with the assistance of magnetic attraction. For example, thecase of the capacitor may be made from a material that is magneticallyattractive, and additional mounting strength can be provided by thestrength of magnetic attraction between the magnet 3502 and the case ofthe capacitor. In the illustrated example, the recess 3504 includes aplurality of grooves that interface with the cable tie when the cabletie is positioned therein.

The magnet 3502 also includes an inner curved surface 3508 that isconfigured to interface with the side wall of the case of the capacitor,and an opposite outer flat surface 3510 (e.g., opposite to the curvedsurface 3508) that has a substantially flat shape. The flat surface 3510can allow the case to interface with a surface (e.g., a substantiallyflat surface) of a separate object, such as an air conditioning system.For example, in some implementations, the magnet 3502 may be positionedon the exterior of the side wall of the case of the capacitor (e.g.,similarly to the illustration of FIG. 34A, except with the magnet 3502of FIG. 35 ). The flat surface 3510 of the magnet 3502 can interfacewith a magnetically-attractive surface, such as a metal wall of an airconditioning unit or system. The strength of magnetic attraction betweenthe flat surface 3510 and the magnetically-attractive surface may allowthe capacitor to create a sufficient magnetic bond with the airconditioning unit or system such that the capacitor cannot becomeinadvertently dislodged or misaligned from its intended mountingposition.

In the illustrated example, the magnet 3502 also includes a projection3514 toward a bottom portion of the magnet 3502 that is configured toassist in holding the magnet 3502 in place at an intended mountedlocation on the case of the capacitor. In the illustrated example, themagnet 3502 is a monolithic piece that includes the projection 3514. Forexample, the magnet 3502 is formed of a single monolithic piece thatincludes a cutout 3516 that increases a surface area of a top surface ofthe projection 3514 (e.g., a top surface that faces in a direction ofthe curved surface 3508 of the magnet 3502). The projection 3514 may beformed as a lip (e.g., a tab or shelf) that extends horizontally,thereby creating a bottom surface of the magnet 3502 that has an areathat is larger than a horizontal cross section of the rest of the magnet3502. The magnet 3502 may be mounted toward the bottom portion of thecapacitor such that the projection 3514 resides beneath a bottom surfaceof the case of the capacitor. The projection 3514 can prevent the magnet3502 from sliding upward and out from underneath the cable tie used tomount the magnet 3502 to the capacitor.

Like the capacitors 3300, 3400 and magnets 3302, 3402 described withrespect to FIGS. 33A-C and 34A-C, the magnet 3502 illustrated in FIG. 35may also employ one or more structures to assist with and/or facilitatethe mounting. For example, one or more mount-assist structures may beinterfaced between an exterior of the side wall and/or a bottom wall ofthe case of the capacitor and the magnet 3502. Further, one or morerecesses, grooves, cutouts, slots, patterns, etc. may be provided on thecase, the magnet 3502, and/or the mount-assist structure to assist withinterfacing between the various components, in a manner similar to thatdescribed above. Similarly, one or more of the recess, groove, cutout,slot, pattern, etc. techniques described above may be applied to anothersurface of the magnet 3502 (e.g., the flat surface 3510 of the magnet3502) to assist with interfacing the magnet 3502 with a surface of aseparate object (e.g., the air conditioning system). In someimplementations, one or more materials (e.g., adhesive, epoxy, etc.) maybe used to assist in affixing the magnet 3502 to the case of thecapacitor and/or the magnet 3502 to a mounting surface. For example, anepoxy may be placed between the magnet 3502 and an exterior of a bottomsurface of the case of the capacitor and/or the exterior of the sidewall of the case of the capacitor.

In some implementations, the projection 3514 may have a form differentfrom what is illustrated in FIG. 35 and described above. For example, insome implementations, the magnet may include a disk-shaped projectionsuch that the projection resides beneath a bottom wall of the capacitorto assist in preventing the magnet from moving vertically upwards in anaxial direction along the capacitor. The disk-shaped projection may havea circumference and area that is similar to, smaller than, or largerthan the circumference and/or area of the capacitor to which the magnetis mounted. In some implementations, rather than the magnet beingcompletely formed for a magnetic material, the disk-shaped portion maybe formed of a magnetic material (e.g., to allow for mounting via thebottom surface of the case), and the rest of the structure may be formedof a non-magnetic material. In this way, the magnetic material can besituated away from the top of the capacitor (e.g., which may include arelay), and the remainder of the structure that may be situatedrelatively closer to the top of the capacitor may be formed of amaterial that will not influence the operation of the relay. Thedisk-shaped projection may be connected to the flat surface of themagnet in a manner similar to the projection 3514 and magnet 3502illustrated in FIG. 35 .

In some implementations, rather than the magnet 3502 including a curvedsurface 3508 that is configured to interface and/or match a curvedsurface of the case of the capacitor, the magnet may include two cantedsurfaces (e.g., having a “v-shaped” cross section) that is configured toaccommodate capacitors of various sizes, cross-sectional areas,circumferences, and diameters. The two canted surfaces meet at a point.For example, while the curved surfaces of the magnets described withrespect to FIGS. 33A-C, 34A-C, and 35 are configured to interface with acapacitor of a particular size and/or shape, a magnet including thecanted surfaces described herein may be configured to accommodate awider range of different capacitors. In turn, such a magnet may beespecially useful when provided as an aftermarket addition to acapacitor to assist an end user in mounting the capacitor as desired.

The two canted surfaces may have a relatively wide v-shaped crosssection such that, when the magnet is placed against a round surface ofa capacitor, the capacitor makes contact with the case of the capacitorat at least two points; in particular, the capacitor and the magnet maymake contact with each other at a first line on a first one of thecanted surfaces, the capacitor and the magnet may make contact with eachother at a second line on a second one of the canted surfaces, and thecapacitor and the magnet may not make contact at the location where thetwo canted surfaces meet. In other words, in some implementations, avoid may be formed between the magnet and the capacitor, and edgeportions of the canted surfaces may flare away from the capacitor suchthat outer edges of the canted surfaces do not make contact with thecapacitor.

In some implementations, an outer (e.g., exterior) surface of each ofthe canted surfaces may include a recess (e.g., similar to the recesses3404, 3504 described above) that is configured to accept a cable tie toapply inward force to the magnet 3502, thereby assisting in mounting themagnet 3502 to the capacitor. In some implementations, an outer point(e.g., the seam at which the two canted surfaces meet) may be flattened(e.g., shaved down) and a single horizontal recess may be providedthereon to accept the cable tie.

In some implementations, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 may be mounted to acapacitor (e.g., the capacitors 3300, 3400, or other capacitors inaccordance with those described herein) such that the magnet 3302, 3402,3502 is configured to maintain a particular vertical (e.g., axial)position on the case while being permitted to rotate about the case. Forexample, mounting by the cable tie may sufficiently hold the magnet3302, 3402, 3502 in place against the case of the capacitor such thatthe magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 will not become dislodged from the case, yetthe cable tie may include enough slack to allow the magnet 3302, 3402,3502 to be rotated about a central axis of the case when a tangentialforce is applied to the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502. In someimplementations, an adhesive and/or epoxy may be omitted between thecase and the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 to allow for such rotation.Rotating the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 about the case can allow a user tocustomize the configuration of the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 to meet aparticular need. For example, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 can bepositioned as desired to allow the capacitor to be mounted at a desiredposition. In some examples, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 can bepositioned such that particular ones of the terminals of the capacitorare positioned at desired locations. The magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 can berotated such that one or more particular terminals of the capacitor areaccessible or more easily accessible (e.g., for attaching a wirethereto). For example, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 may be rotated suchthat a terminal to which a wire/clip is to be attached is openlypositioned (e.g., with sufficient clearance) when the capacitor ismounted at a desired position at an air conditioning unit. On the otherhand, in some implementations, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 may bemounted such that rotation is prevented.

In some implementations, the capacitor and magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 canbe provided (e.g., from a manufacturer or supplier) in an assembled formsubstantially as illustrated in FIGS. 33A and 34A. For example, thecapacitor can be provided with the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 mountedthereon by the cable tie. In this way, the capacitor, the magnet 3302,3402, and the cable tie are all in contact with their respectivecomponents (e.g., at the time of manufacturer and/or prior to shipping).

In some implementations, the various components illustrated in FIGS.33A-C, 34A-C, and/or 35 may be provided separately for subsequentassembly. In this way, one or more of the capacitor, the magnet 3302,3402, 3502, and the cable tie may not be in contact with each otherinitially (e.g., at the time of shipping). For example, the illustratedcomponents may be provided as a capacitor mounting kit/system thatincludes the capacitor, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502, and the cable tie(and in some cases the mount-assist structure(s)) for assembly by an enduser and/or a retailer. In some implementations, the magnet 3302, 3402,3502 may be provided without the cable tie 3306, 3406, the capacitor3300, 3400, and/or any mount-assist structure(s) for attachment to acapacitor by an end user and/or retailer (e.g., as illustrated in FIG.35 ). In some implementations, the capacitor can be provided without themagnet 3302, 3402, 3502, the cable tie, and/or the mount-assiststructure(s) in a form that is configured to be fitted with a separatemagnet and a cable tie after the fact. For example, the capacitorsdescribed herein may be provided with an indicator, label, recess, etc.indicating a location at which a magnet should be provided and includinginstructions for using a cable tie to assist with such mounting. In someimplementations, the capacitor and the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 may beprovided together with instructions for the end user to mount the magnet3302, 3402, 3502 to the capacitor by a cable tie (which is to beobtained by the end user).

In some implementations, the magnet 3302, 3402, 3502 can have one ormore characteristics of the various magnets described herein, includingbut not limited to the magnets 402 and 502 of FIGS. 31 and 32 , in anyof a number of combinations.

In some implementations, any of the various magnets described herein(e.g., the magnet 402 of FIG. 31 , and/or the magnet 502 of FIG. 32 ,and/or the magnet 3302, 3402 of FIGS. 33A-C and 34A-C, and/or the magnet3502 of FIG. 35 , and/or multiple ones of the magnets as describedherein in any combination or configuration) may be mounted inside and/oroutside of the case of the capacitor. For example, to name a fewexamples, and not by way of limitation, multiple disk shaped magnets maybe mounted on an exterior of the case. In particular, multiple diskshaped magnets in a stacked configuration, as described above, may bepositioned on an exterior (e.g., bottom) surface of a bottom wall of thecapacitor. In some implementations, a first disk shaped magnet may bemounted inside of the case, and a second disk shaped magnet may bemounted outside of the case (e.g., on the exterior surface of the bottomwall of the capacitor).

In some implementations, any of the various magnets described herein maybe molded from a magnetic material and/or may be a single, monolithicpiece. For example, one or more of the magnets described herein may bemolded from a magnetic powder.

In some implementations, any combination of one or more disk shapedmagnets, and/or one or more strip shaped magnets, and/or one or morecurved magnets, etc. may be mounted in any combination of inside and/oroutside of the case. In sum, while particular implementations aredescribed herein and illustrated in the figures, it should be understoodthat any combination of the interior and/or exterior magnets describedherein may be incorporated into the various capacitors 10, 200, 300,400, 500, 3300, and/or 3400 described herein.

In some implementations, providing magnetic mounting capability for thecapacitor can provide a number of advantages. For example, in someimplementations, a component to which or within which the capacitor isto be mounted (e.g., an air conditioning system) may or may not includean area (e.g., a designated area) that is typically used for mountingthe capacitor. However, the user may desire to mount the capacitorelsewhere. By providing magnetic mounting capability, the number ofoptions for mounting can be greatly increased.

In some implementations, the capacitor is mounted at locations thatinclude metallic and/or magnetic objects. Such objects may impact theperformance of the capacitor. In some implementations, the user maydesire to mount the capacitor at a particular location such thatparticular operating conditions are achieved. Magnetic mountability ofthe capacitor can allow the user to mount the capacitor at suchlocations. In some examples, the capacitor can be mounted at locationsthat allow for shorter conductive connections (e.g., wires) between thecapacitor's section cover terminals and common cover terminal and thedevice to which the capacitor is connected. Without such flexibility inpossible mounting locations, the wires may be excessively long and maybe susceptible to being cut or broken along with being susceptible tonoise and/or distortions.

The capacitor and the features thereof described above are believed toadmirably achieve the objects of the invention and to provide apractical and valuable advance in the art by facilitating efficientreplacement of failed capacitors. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the foregoing description is illustrative and thatvarious modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. An apparatus providing a plurality of selectablecapacitance values, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitivedevices providing at least three capacitors each having a capacitancevalue, each of the plurality of capacitive devices having a firstcapacitor terminal; a case receiving the plurality of capacitivedevices, the case having an open end; a cover assembly sealingly securedto the open end of case, the cover assembly comprising: a deformablecover mountable to the case, a common cover terminal having a contactextending from the deformable cover, three capacitor cover terminals,each corresponding to one of the at least three capacitors provided bythe plurality of capacitive devices and each having at least one contactextending from the deformable cover, wherein the deformable cover isconfigured to displace at least one of the three capacitor coverterminals upon an operative failure of at least one of the plurality ofcapacitive devices, and three insulation structures, wherein each isconfigured to provide insulation for at least one of the three capacitorcover terminals; and a plurality of conductors, wherein each conductorelectrically connects one capacitor cover terminal to its correspondingcapacitive device of the plurality of capacitive devices, at least someof the conductors being frangibly connected to a respective capacitorcover terminal; wherein a monolithic magnetic element is configured tobe positioned at an exterior of the case; and wherein the apparatus maybe connected to provide selected capacitance values in an electriccircuit by attaching selected ones of the common cover terminal andcapacitor cover terminals to conductors of the electrical circuit, andoutward deformation of the deformable cover caused by operative failureof at least one of the plurality of capacitive devices breaks at leastsome of the frangible connections sufficient to disconnect the pluralityof capacitive devices from the electric circuit.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein the plurality of capacitive devices are each separatelywound.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the plurality of capacitivedevices are positioned in a vertically stacked configuration in thecase.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each of the capacitivedevices has a second capacitor terminal, and the second capacitorterminals of the capacitive devices are electrically connected to thecommon cover terminal.
 23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the commoncover terminal is centrally located on the deformable cover.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 19 wherein one of the at least three capacitors has a25 microfarad capacitance value and another of the at least threecapacitors has a 20 microfarad capacitance value.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein the plurality of capacitive devices provide at leastone additional capacitor.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the atleast one additional capacitor has a capacitance value of about 5microfarads.
 27. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the case iscylindrical and at least one plurality of capacitive devices is placedvertically in the case.
 28. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein thecombined capacitance value of the capacitors provided by the pluralityof capacitive devices greater than about 55.0 microfarads.
 29. Acapacitor as defined in claim 19 wherein the common cover terminal ispositioned generally centrally on the deformable cover and the capacitorcover terminals are positioned surrounding the common cover terminal.30. A capacitor as defined in claim 19 wherein each of the capacitorcover terminals is surrounded by an insulator cup, and the insulatorcups are color coded to indicate the capacitance value of the capacitorelectrically connected thereto.
 31. The apparatus of claim 19 whereinthe apparatus is configured for dual application such that at least onecapacitive device is operable for use with a compressor motor of theair-conditioning system and another capacitive device is operable foruse with a fan motor of the air-conditioning system.
 32. The apparatusof claim 19 wherein the monolithic magnetic element comprises a curvedsurface having a shape that substantially matches a shape of theexterior of the case.
 33. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein themonolithic magnetic element comprises a recess for receiving a cable tieto assist in holding the monolithic magnetic element to the case. 34.The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the monolithic magnetic elementcomprises a flat surface opposite the curved surface.
 35. The apparatusof claim 37, wherein the monolithic magnetic element comprises aprojection that comprises the curved surface.
 36. A system comprising:an apparatus providing a plurality of selectable capacitance values, theapparatus comprising: a plurality of capacitive devices providing atleast three capacitors each having a capacitance value, each of theplurality of capacitive devices having a first capacitor terminal, acase receiving the plurality of capacitive devices, the case having anopen end, a cover assembly sealingly secured to the open end of case,the cover assembly comprising: a deformable cover mountable to the case;a common cover terminal having a contact extending from the deformablecover; three capacitor cover terminals, each corresponding to one of theat least three capacitors provided by the plurality of capacitivedevices and each having at least one contact extending from thedeformable cover, wherein the deformable cover is configured to displaceat least one of the three capacitor cover terminals upon an operativefailure of at least one of the plurality of capacitive devices; andthree insulation structures, wherein each is configured to provideinsulation for at least one of the three cover terminals, and aplurality of conductors, wherein each conductor electrically connectsone capacitor cover terminal to its corresponding capacitive device ofthe plurality of capacitive devices, at least some of the conductorsbeing frangibly connected to a respective capacitor cover terminal; anda monolithic magnetic element is configured to be positioned at anexterior of the case, wherein the monolithic magnetic element comprisesa curved surface having a shape that substantially matches a shape ofthe exterior of the case, and a flat surface opposite the curvedsurface.
 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the monolithic magneticelement comprises a recess for receiving a cable tie to assist inholding the monolithic magnetic element to the case.
 38. The system ofclaim 36, wherein the monolithic magnetic element comprises a projectionthat comprises the curved surface.